DISQUS

If it has been leaking since day one isn't that something to take up with the architect and contractor? Where was the city on that one? If someone built our houses like that we would sue and they would fix it. Where was the city on that one? Also, hasn't the city saved millions of dollars over the years by not fixing it? So, spend it now. It should have already been done.

If the concrete planters are too heavy get a crane and remove them. That seems simple enough to do to me.

I don't see them clsoing down city hall.

You made me giggle. Thanks.

Hey idiots! Go post somewhere else.

You've posted something similar before LB thinking. Is that a pun, because you don't seem to be thinking at all. Did you read the article your post is supposed to be about? A storefront? A shopping mall? It's not a McDonald's, it's a library.

Any building it is moved to would have to be retrofitted to handle library shelving, and technological services. That would probably be at least $500,000.

Again building a new library would cost a fortune, and we clearly don't have the money. And don't say bond issue, because #1 it's ridiculous, and #2 the bond measure will have a hard time passing.

Citizens who live downtown deserve a library too. So yes, it should be located downtown. Especially since it's the only library next to the Metro. Where is a better location for the main library and city hall? I'll answer that - downtown. Every library you go to in a large city has homeless people around it and inside. Simply because it's a free and safe place to hang out. If you were homeless you would probably hang out there as well. By the way Chip (and I don't like the smell either), but I'm willing to bet that it is against the law, and the code of library ethics to deny the homeless entry in and around the library. What do you want them to do round them up? Send them to a camp maybe?

By the way, if we can't afford $3 million to do minor repairs, how can we afford over $18 million to build a new library? We can't. So, no new library will be built, and no computer center will be started for at least a year (and how much will that cost?).

This is simply ridiculous. They want to close the library, so they will say and do whatever they can to get it done. Listen closely. When they say "may" and "might" it means it won't happen.

LBResident - take a look at the library statistics. Over 500,000 people a year use the MAIN branch of the library.

Where will all of those people go? Do you think the neighborhood branches can sustain those numbers? I know the Bay Shore library has nowhere to park. So, where will the homeless go then? Probably to the branch libraries.

Finally, an article that is showing us both sides of the story. Thank you Theo.

Back to the library. If they want it closed it will probably close. Has anyone read the PT articles? Who pays them anyway - the city? Also, if you look at the articles closely they all say "West said that a temporary satellite location with homework helpers, computers and other resources might be used in the interim, though he had few details Friday." West always uses the word "may" or "might." It's kind of how like your boss would say: We may give you a raise this year. You might even get a bonus. Do you think either one would happen?

I'm truly hurt b. Albert. No response to my post? Too busy picking on women and French Mimes (when not picking on illegals of course)?

B. Albert,

Have you ever been to the main branch, and then gone to a branch library? Most (if not all) of the services in the main branch cannot be taken on by branch libraries. The branch libraries are significantly smaller, don't have the meeting rooms the main branch has, and barely have room for all of their books on the shelves. There's a reason the new Mark Twain branch was built. They didn't have enough room for material and staff. They still don't. Have you ever been to the branch library in Belmont Shore? It is very small. I don't see much room for more staff. Just because they did not reveal their sources, it doesn't mean their facts aren't straight. This is not a professional journal.

I'm not an immigrant, I have a graduate degree, therefore can read, and I use the library. And considering I live in Long Beach (do you?), I know that my neighbors can read and use the library.

You say: "A new study (2004 - me) by the United Way of Los Angeles finds that 53 percent of the city’s adult population—3.8 million people—are functionally illiterate." Thank you for making my arguement. THAT IS WHY WE NEED TO KEEP THE MAIN LIBRARY OPEN - HELLOOOOOOO!!!!!! I don't think the United Way was using their facts to discriminate. And I quote (page 3) "In today's economy driven by knowledge and technology, the greatest resource for the Los Angeles region is an educated workforce." Is there a breakdown by race. NO! They are including white, African American, Latino, Asian, etc.

In a time of economic hardship the library is even more important resource for the community.

Let's talk about the library, not your racist rants. Stop listening to A.M. 640, it will rot your brain.

Well, at least you mentioned the library on your last comment. I guess that's something????????????????

Um...HELLO>>>LIBRARY!!! Let's get back to the topic.

Dear John B.,

If we wait until we hear something official it will be too late. We need to let our voices be heard before they tell us what they want to happen. When the government lets you know something it's usually too late to stop it. The decisions should be out in the open not behind closed doors. BY the way, do you trust the City Council? I don't. I believe they will try to appease the mayor. Remember, the Mayor's Office told them that hours and resources in their district's will increase. So, why would they fight the mayor's plan?

Also, let's make the council meetings on something important like this a little easier to attend. How many people can go to a 5:00 meeting on a Tuesday?

Really Dave - no staff will be "asked to retire," or be "laid off." If the Mayor AND the City Council is doing this to safe money, how else do you save money. You get rid of some of your staff. Then, you don't have to pay for their insurance, or overtime or their salaries. Don't forget - a lot of services are run out of the main branch that there is not room for at the branch libraries. Plus, the historical collections and 100's of thousands of library books would need a new home too.

If we really are in trouble then why are we hiring more police officers, and building new fire stations. Can't the firemen just sleep in their trucks, or take the trucks home and take turns having sleepovers.