An important message from City Librarians Fontayne Holmes and Susan Kent

Dear "saveLAPL" Friends:

As City Librarian, each of us had the good fortune to work with all of the communities throughout the City of Los Angeles to build or renovate neighborhood libraries and to expand library services and hours. Neighborhood libraries are at the heart of each community.

Today we are writing to ask for your support for Measure L on the March 8th City of Los Angeles ballot. Last year at this time, our neighborhood libraries were open 6 days per week, Monday –Saturday, and the Central and regional libraries were open 7 days, Monday-Sunday. Libraries were open morning, afternoons and evenings. But all of that has changed. In July, the library hours were slashed as a result of major cuts in the Library’s budget. Now, libraries are only open 5 days per week and many morning and evening hours have been eliminated. Students who need to study on Monday have no place to go. Children who have regularly come to the library in the evenings after their parents come home for work have no place to go. And going to the library on Sunday is no longer an option. Please help us restore 6 day a week service at our neighborhood libraries next year, followed by 7 day service at the Central and regional libraries in subsequent years.

Measure L is not a tax. It will not ask residents or property owners to pay more taxes

Measure L is a Charter Amendment. The City Charter has required since 1878 that a percentage of the assessed tax value on property be dedicated to library funding. For the past decade that percentage has been .0175% of each $100 of assessed tax value. This revision to the Charter incrementally increases this percentage over four years to .0300%, which will provide the funds to restore 6 and 7-day library services.

What can you do to help us?

1. Please visit the Measure L website, http://yesonlibraries.com

2. Please sign up to Endorse Measure L.

3. Please get the word out to friends, family and neighbors in emails, Facebook, and Twitter.

We will be happy to come to speak to community groups you participate if you like.

Many thanks,

Fontayne Holmes, City Librarian 2004-2008
fontayneholmes@att.net

Susan Kent, City Librarian 1995-2004
s.kent@mac.com