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Huntington Beach is tackling libraries — again
Inside the beloved Huntington Beach Central Library.
(
Jill Replogle
/
LAist
)
The Huntington Beach City Council could decide the fate of two ballot initiatives regarding the city’s libraries at its Tuesday meeting this evening.
What are the ballot initiatives about?
One would repeal a controversial parent-guardian review board with the power to determine which children’s books are appropriate for the city’s public libraries. The other would ban privatization of Huntington Beach’s libraries.
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The proposed measure could mean fines or even arrests for those who violate anti-camping laws.
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What’s the backstory?
How to keep tabs on Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach holds city council meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 2000 Main St.
You can also watch city council meetings remotely on HBTV via Channel 3 or online, or via the city’s website (you can also find videos of previous council meetings there).
The public comment period happens toward the beginning of meetings.
The city generally posts agendas for city council meetings on the previous Friday. You can find the agenda on the city’s calendar or sign up there to have agendas sent to your inbox.
The libraries have been a center of controversy since staunch conservatives gained control of city government.
The Huntington Beach City Council voted in late 2023 to establish a board of local parents and guardians to review children’s books for the city’s public libraries — and weed out ones they determine to have inappropriate content. Opponents say that job should be left to professional librarians, and they mounted a petition drive to get the board repealed.
But there were two petitions, right?
Correct. Public library advocates mounted a second petition drive after the city council flirted last year with outsourcing library operations to a private company.
Both initiatives qualified for the ballot in December.
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What will the city council decide on Tuesday?
At its Tuesday meeting, the Huntington Beach City Council has three options. It can decide to:
- Adopt the initiatives outright;
- Put them on the ballot in an upcoming regular or special election; or
- Order a study of the potential impacts of both initiatives first.
City staff has recommended studies for both initiatives.
When will it all come to a decision?
If the council takes city staff advice to further study both issues, it will have to make a final decision about whether to put the initiatives on the ballot, or adopt them outright, at their meeting on Feb. 18.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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