SEIU 721 members working in libraries throughout Los Angeles and Ventura County traveled to Sacramento to meet with legislators about the proposed $30 million in cuts which would eliminate the funds for three state library programs.
The proposed cuts come as most libraries have already cut back on hours and services but library usage has increased by 10-23%. The SEIU 721 members that went to Sacramento and spoke to legislators and at budget hearing were Angel Nicolas, Tom Cornicelli, Cindy Singer, Susan Anderson and Kirk Thomas Olsen.
“It’s important that as library workers, we speak up. Eliminating these reimbursements would greatly impact students, people from impoverished neighborhoods and eliminate home delivery of Braille materials.”
Tom Cornicelli, Librarian I Valencia Library/Los Angeles County
City and county libraries rely on these state funds to help cover the expense of loaning books from a county library in Santa Clarita to a City library in Burbank. The funds also cover the costs for any California resident to access ANY California library no matter where they live. Without these state funds, local libraries would have to cut back on vital library programs and services or decrease book loans and restrict library usage.
“These state funds allow our patrons to borrow books from any library in California and give people in rural communities the same access to books as they would have in larger urban areas.”
Yvonne Tello, Technician I EP Foster Library/City of Ventura
Legislators will decide whether to include these programs in the state budget expected to be released in March.