Bradbury, Allies Win Long Beach Book War

The Long Beach Press-Telegram reports that the once-threatened Long Beach Main Public Library will remain open but with reduced hours, staff, and resources. The Main Library had been slated for closure on October 1, 2008, as part of the city’s strategy for addressing a $16.9 million budget deficit. City officials have said they still plan to close the Main Library building at some point in the future when they construct a new main branch.

Public outcry and a media blitz by community groups and library patron Ray Bradbury helped win the costly book war against entrenched, anti-intellectual government bureaucrats.