LOS ANGELES : City Council Lifts Hiring Freeze on 80 Library Jobs
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The Los Angeles City Council lifted a hiring freeze on 80 library jobs Friday so the city’s libraries can continue to stay open six days a week.
The hiring will also allow officials to maintain children’s programs, homework centers, literacy tutoring and other essential services. Librarians, clerks and support workers will be hired, but 25 other positions will remain unfilled. Most city agencies have been operating under a hiring freeze for three years as a budget-cutting measure.
The council voted unanimously and without comment to authorize the new hiring, despite City Administrative Officer Keith Comrie’s recommendation not to approve it.
Like other departments, the library system has absorbed funding cuts in recent years, including a 25% reduction in its budget for new books and materials. Mayor Richard Riordan wants increased private donations and use of volunteers to fill the gap.
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