Not sure why the level of discourse at last night’s city meeting about closing Main Library seemed so high and lively. Maybe it had something to do with the topic, which hinged on our access to knowledge–and with the fact that the discussion took place just a few feet away from hundreds of classic works [...]

If the City of Long Beach had stuck to its original timetable, Main Library would be open just more six weeks before closing indefinitely. Then, some day, a new, watertight, earthquake-proof Main Library would be built or rebuilt, there or elsewhere. Some day.
That’s what worries members of

In a conversation before, and remarks during this afternoon’s budget study session at City Hall, City Manager Pat West changed the course of Main Library’s proposed closure–originally said to be looming just over the horizon, possibly as soon as Oct. 1.

And what’s this about a two-year “gap in service”?

Time to leave work early today, for this afternoon’s budget study session, at 3:30 at City Hall, 333 W. Ocean Blvd.
Among the hot topics, of course, will be what to do with the city’s leaky 32-year-old Main Library

As John Canalis reports in today’s Press-Telegram, the question of whether Main Library will actually close–as recommended by City Manager Pat West and Mayor Bob Foster in the proposed Fiscal Year 2008-2009 budget, released Friday–is far from resolved.
For one thing, Long Beach City Council hasn’t even begun debating the budget yet–and ultimately, the Council is [...]