I’m going to do something I haven’t done in a very long time. And actually, before I start, I should be clear that I am writing this on my own personal time and my own personal computer. The why will become evident soon.

This really only affects you if you live in the City of Los Angeles.  Some things you should know about me. I’m a public librarian. I manage one of the 73 branches in the Los Angeles Public Library system. It’s the largest public library system in the country.

It’s also hurting greatly.

And that’s why I’m writing this. On the ballot for next Tuesday’s election, there is a measure up for vote. Measure L.  You can find out the basic information about the measure here: Measure L Information

Basically Measure L will increase the portion of the City’s budget that the Library receives from 1% to 3%. This will happen over a 4 year period. The funds will be used to restore the library hours, which were cut from 7 day service to 5 day service. It’ll be used to restore some (not all) the staff that were laid off last year. Due to the massive shortfall of the City’s budget last fiscal year, there were over 700 people laid off across the City. The Library system accounted for 1 in 7 over the layoff. L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti Claims Library Cuts Went ‘Under the Radar’ — Despite 10,000 Postcards to His Office, Billboard in His District This is the first time in the history of the Library system that 7 day service is not available. Even during the Great Depression, LAPL offered 7 day service.

A few things you should know about Measure L:

1. It is not a new tax. That one’s kind of important. You should know that what you pay in taxes will not at all be affected by this measure.

2. Last fiscal year the Mayor required 2 departments to take on all their operating costs. The Library Department was one of those 2 departments. That’s about 20 million dollars. Yup. MILLION. It takes a lot to run 73 branches. So whether or not L passes, that’s 20 million dollars we’re going to have to pay. And if L fails, well, people are going to get laid off and branches are going to close.

3. The Police Union and The League of Women Voters are against L. The Police Union for a couple reasons. One, because they kind of hate Bernard Parks. And two because they say that public safety will lose money if L passes. I’d just like to point out that police and fire get approximately 70% of the entire City budget. And they’re currently about 10 million dollars over in just their salary costs. 18 City Departments Could Be Combined $31.9M Over Salary Budgets (notice that the Library is not on that list? We’re the ONLY department in the City that stays within it’s budget every single year.) The Police Union claims that public safety will be adversely affected. But tell me, don’t you think that having a safe place like, oh, I don’t know, a library, increases public safely? Just a thought. The League of Women Voters calls it ballot box budgeting. Which it may be. But unfortunately, we really don’t have much other choice. And it was the City Council who proposed the Measure.

Some of you are probably saying, yeah, well it’s in your own self interest to push this. Yes. Of course it is. But that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing.

So please, if you live in Los Angeles, I would really greatly appreciate it if you would please consider voting Yes on Measure L next Tuesday, March 8.