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Budget Crisis-Related Library Cuts Begin Sunday
A quote by Frederick Douglass on The Grotto Fountain at Central Library | Photo by puck90 via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
A quote by Frederick Douglass on The Grotto Fountain at Central Library | Photo by puck90 via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
Citing solutions to the city's budget crisis, such as the early retirement program and a hiring freeze, the Los Angeles Public Library this morning formally announced new hours which being immediately. Citywide, all libraries will be closed on Sundays. The other six days, Central Library will be open at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. or 8 p.m. every other day, except on Fridays when it will close at 5:30 p.m. (hours for all facilities--Central, Regional and Branch libraries--are listed below)
The decision to adjust library hours came late March. Funding could not sustain the 1132 job positions, 17 million visitors (based on last year's numbers) and circulation of 18 million items.
On Friday, a group of librarians protested outside a LADWP building on Venice and Fairfax to bring attention to the possibility of even more cuts, thanks to the utility's decision to renege on a promised $73.5 million transfer to the city's general budget, which pays for core services like police, streets and, yes, libraries.
Central Library
Mon. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tues. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Wed. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thurs. 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sun. closed
Regional Libraries
Mon. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tues. 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Wed. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thurs. 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Fri. 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m
Sun. closed
Branch Libraries:
Mon. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Tues. 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Wed. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thurs. 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Fri. 1:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sun. closed
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
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