LETTER: Libraries for Profit?

Editor,

All across the country, city councils are making decisions about privatizing their public libraries. Often this happens behind closed doors, with very little community input and without a full understanding of how library services could be affected or even what a 21st-century public library means to the community.

In early July, I will be testifying in Sacramento about the importance of preserving library services by ensuring that taxpayer library funds are used for services in the community and not as profit for any private company. I will be asking California Senators to support AB 438 which will:

• Ensure that our PUBLIC libraries are run by dedicated, professional, and experienced staff that have been serving our communities for years.
• Protect the voice of communities in the future of their PUBLIC libraries.
• Guarantee transparency and accountability.

Before I testify, I need your help. Please call or email the following six legislators and let them know you want them to support public libraries by voting to approve AB 438 which will guarantee transparency and accountability of taxpayer funds in the running of public libraries.

Senator Lois Wolk
Phone: (916) 651-4005
Email: senator.wolk@senate.ca.gov

Senator Mark DeSaulnier
Phone: (916) 651-4007
Email: senator.desaulnier@sen.ca.gov

Senator Loni Hancock
Phone: (916) 651-4009
Email: senator.hancock@sen.ca.gov

Senator Ed Hernandez
Phone: (916) 651-4024
Email: senator.hernandez@sen.ca.gov

Senator Christine Kehoe
Phone: (916) 651-4039
Email: senator.kehoe@sen.ca.gov

Senator Carol Liu
Phone: (916) 651-4021
Email: senator.liu@sen.ca.gov

Thank you for helping preserve public library services!

Cindy Singer
Community Library Manager, Los Angeles County