Subject line: Re: Is LA Library going to charge for holds? A solid wall of it in my in box, off a neighborhood list serve. Message after message in agreement and in distress over a new library commission effort to cut its budget/raise revenue. Thus, I learned that the "Los Angeles Public Library is going to charge $1 for all books that are put on hold and transported from another library, and that they're shortening the period you can have a book from 3 weeks to 2 weeks" -- if this information is correct. One thing I know is true: the mention of the fee raised hackles immediately. I could practically hear groans and screaming before I even clicked on the first message, and with good reason: the Edendale Library of Echo Park, which most of the message writers use, is a new library, and a fairly small one, with limited shelf space and a spotty permanent collection. Which is not to say the place isn't buzzing with use. I go there frequently, and it's always busy. A dollar might not seem like a lot, but as one list-server pointed out, it can be prohibitive for a family with several children or even just one child with a research paper that requires several books. And it violates the principle of public library books being loaned free of charge.

There also was news of a freeze on book purchases.

One person wrote:

In a meeting last night of the Edendale Library Friends (ELFS) the head librarian said there is a freeze on book purchases, paper, mylar book covers, and much more. Even money the Friends gave the Edendale library last year to buy books was appropiated by the city.

Edendale is now relying on generous donations of books from outside the system, then recycling old book covers for them, and hoping the Friends can come up with paper and other critical supplies. The friends wised up and will purchase critically needed books directly this year, but we can't come close to matching what book funds the library has lost in the last round of budget cuts. We're very concerned they will lose staff and library hours as well. Yes, the proposed charges will likely materialize unless we fight and beat City Hall. Our little Wednesday booksale is the bookstore of choice for our little neighborhood, so more than ever, we need you to come in and support our library. If you can't come in Wednesdays but are available during library hours they can use help removing old book covers, and stocking the donation cart.

Following, more comments, from different people:

The city was so proud of building all the new libraries, and justly so. Yet, now that they're built, and the kids in the neighborhoods are using them, this fee will close them out of being able to get books. I think it's terrible. I get books from the library all the time, and most of them are brought in from other branches because Edendale doesn't have them. Which makes sense since it's so new, and especially if they can't buy new books. ... The kids in this city have enough to worry about without losing a major educational tool.

Another person wrote:

I was at E.P. library today and the librarian told me that there is NO MONEY to buy new books. They are on a freeze. Don't jump on me, because I don't think charging for a hold will solve this problem. I'm just passing this on. What I really want to know is how can a city like L.A. not have money for library books? I don't believe it. I don't want to hear there is no money unless I see some sort of breakdown of where money comes from and where it goes to. Having libraries charge for holds is ridiculous - is this like a netflix approach or something?

A response:

I was told that library fines go into the General Fund. This will, too. It won't really even help the library if this is true.

From a different source:

It seems unfair to those who live in communities with smaller libraries and to people with disabilities who may have difficulty getting to different locations within the city, as well as to those families for whom $1 a book is a very steep price, especially since a family might want several books for several children, and for the completion of research projects, etc. the library system was intended to be a free system that would benefit everyone, not least of all, those who could not afford books. the hold program allows everyone local access to the entire system.

And the rally cry:

Echo Park has always had fighters. I hope we are all one voice now.