You Told The Mayor What You Thought... and it worked!

Thank you to everyone who used this site to voice their support for the Library. We are delighted to report that the proposed $1 inter-branch loan fee was canceled, the Library had $2 million in book buying funds restored and the regional branches will continue staying open on Sundays. Read on for a message of thanks from City Librarian Fontayne Holmes.

*

May 20, 2008

Dear Library Supporters,

When Kim Cooper and Richard Cooper informed me several weeks ago that they were launching SaveLAPL, the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) was facing a severe cut to its book budget and the elimination of Sunday service at branches.

All of us who work at the library know the value that Library users place on its services and resources. But the response generated by SaveLAPL.org was overwhelming. More than 1,300 people sent emails in support of the Library’s budget to the Mayor, City Council, Library Commission and me. In fact, the Budget and Finance Committee said that they received more e-mails, phone calls, and letters about the Library than any other City department.

Most importantly, your voice made a difference: Budget and Finance Committee recommended the restoration of $2 million to the book funds and $1.4 million to restore Sunday hours at the eight regional branch libraries. On May 19, the City Council approved a revised 2008-09 Budget for the City, which included these changes to the Library budget.

All of us at the Library greatly appreciate your support and hope that you will continue to use the Los Angeles Public Library by visiting your neighborhood library (71 branch libraries throughout the city), our Central Library in downtown, and by visiting us 24/7 at www.lapl.org.

Sincerely,

Fontayne Holmes
City Librarian