OCEAN BEACH, CA. Local Ocean Beach residents are rallying to save the Ocean Beach branch of the San Diego library this Saturday, November 15th. The noon time gathering in front of the OB Library, located at the corner of Sunset Cliffs Boulevard and Santa Monica Avenue, is being organized by a loose network including the OB Historical Society, Friends of the OB Library and the OB Rag blog.
There will be a few speakers at the event, including Pat James, prez of the Historical Society,who will describe some of the history of the building where the library sits – the library just celebrated its 80th anniversary-; Suzi More, head of the Friends of the OB Library, will talk about programs the Library offers; Anna Daniels, a city librarian speaking only for herself, will remind us why we need libraries; and John Rivera, chief of staff of Councilmember Kevin Faulconer’s office, will offer support.
Residents at the rally will be urged to attend the next City Council hearing on the budget and Mayor Sander’s proposed cuts – which include 7 libraries and 9 Rec centers and gym. The hearing will be held on Wed., Nov. 19th from 2 to 5 pm. By the way, the Friends are conducting a book sale the day of the rally – the 15th – from 10 to 1 right in front of the OB Library.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I just heard about the OB branch being closed along with other important centers vital to San Diego community life. It is a reprehensible act. They say it is becuase of budget cuts. I can’t think what they are thinking–who they have in their pockets. I do know the developers own this City. What are they thinking? I e-mailed Faulconer and Sanders and told them just that. along with other seniors, kids and students, I can’t function without our convenient library. So it’s not a fancy schmantzy La Jolla or Pt Loma library but it is packed with students of all ages and book lovers as well. The last thing I had heard was a few years ago they had planned on EXPANDING the OB library. Now they are cutting it. They cut our bus service and raised the rates. They allowed developers to build on our fragile cliffs–and one of them is a member of OB Planning Board–what a laugh. I will attend any hearing possible to do my part in trying to keep OB’s library together. We managed to keep “Dustry Rhodes Park and the Famosa Slough. We can keep the OB Library if we put our minds to it. Every voice counts.
Thanks for this chance to say something.
T. Andrea- can’t agree with you more. The library is an issue that regular Obcians will stand up to protect. We – people of OB – fought the City to a stand-off and prevented most of the jetty from being built, prevented the City from selling Collier Park off for development and to this day it’s still a park – although it is deteriorating – , worked with the City to establish the first democratically-elected planning board in the history of California, wrote our own Precise Plan for development in OB – taking it out of the hands of big property owners and large commercial interests – , prevented the Strand from becoming a porno theater, … the list goes on – oh, yeah, got ot include that OB people got the City – thanks to Donna Frye – to do a study of any potential toxic leakage out of the old dump just east of SeaWorld;
OB people did all these things ! we’re not gonna let anyone close our library, period. Cut back a few hours along with all the other libraries, okay. But we can’t let ANY branch be closed.
I don’t think I need to get into why we need our library, and why all the districts need their libraries. It should be plain to see, and easy to understand, that in economic hardtimes people need their public facilities, their libraries even more. They are sources of information, education, and consolation. We won’t allow them to close our libraries.
And I will admit I have not actually been in the OB Library for a few months. But I don’t have to have been a recent visitor to know that it is one of most valuable public resources we have.
For the seniors, for the students from across the street, for those who don’t have the internet at home, for those who’ve canceled their newspaper or magazine subscription, we will not allow them to close our library. I will personally stand in the door and non-violently block any attempt to close the library for good. Once it’s closed, it’s closed, ‘temporary’ or not. We have to stand up here. If not at the door of our library – where?
Joe – I liked that so much I’m going to contact you to see if you’ll allow us to use it as a ‘reader rant’. Will be in touch.
Ocean Beach Library was the first library I borrowed books from as a young boy. Due to my father’s influence, I read Plato, Socrates, Homer, etc., until I developed an ability to critically reflect upon my life and times. Due to this opportunity of reading the great books, I became a teacher and a university instructor.
Let’s keep the OB Library open no matter what Arnold or Sanders say.