L is For Library

Arroyo Seco Library bookshelf by cRis_cRis via flickr.

Do you love libraries? Well do you???

Did you know that it has only been in the recent 100 years of civilization that libraries have been public and “Free?” Before that, libraries were secluded and relegated to only wealthy scholars. Libraries weren’t for common people. But then at the turn of the previous century, people started noticing how awesome and advanced a society could be if libraries were open and free for everyone. Our very own Arroyo Seco Branch library was originally built by a wealthy industrialist, Andrew Carnegie. Why? Because he knew knowledge is power, and that every person deserves a place to read, a place to learn and to grow.

But while libraries are best when they are available to everyone, and better when they cost users nothing, in actuality, they have a price. And that price was more than our Mayor was willing to pay in the current city budget crisis. Luckily, we voters will have an opportunity to remedy the situation that has shuttered our much-loved library on Sundays and Mondays. In the upcoming March 8th Election there is Measure L that will reassign funds from the city’s general operating budget to the library system. No bonds involved, no new taxes, just budget adjustment.

So put our money where your inked fingers and squinting eyes are, and support Measure L come this March 8th at the polling booth!!!

-See Jill Stewart’s story on Measure L in LA Weekly.