Top line:
A citizen-led effort to ban privatization of Huntington Beach’s public library has qualified for a vote.
Why now: The Huntington Beach City Council is scheduled to discuss two library-related ballot plans at its first meeting of the year on Jan. 21. This and the possible abolition of the controversial Children’s Library Book Review Board.
What’s the backstory? Last year, public library advocates launched a petition after the city council flirted with outsourcing library operations to private companies. The company ultimately withdrew its bid, but opponents continued to collect signatures calling for changes to the city charter that would prohibit the sale of public libraries or the outsourcing of management.
Next steps: City Council can adopt the measure in its entirety, order an impact study or place it on a future ballot.
