Local Library Facing Big Budget, Hour Cuts

Agoura Hills Library still might scale back its hours of operation due to budget cuts, but the proposed hours might not be so significant as originally proposed thanks to an agreement between the county and library that dates back a decade.

At present the facility opens its doors six days a week for 50 hours total, but a proposed cut in operation hours to cope with the effect the Los Angeles County $500 million budget shortfall has on its operating budget would scale that back to four days and 40 hours a week.

But as former Mayor Joan Yacovone reminded members of the Agoura Hills City Council at a May meeting, a clause in the contract between the county and city from 2001 states the services LA County can and cannot cut during a financial crisis.

The specific terms of the contract say that while the library’s hours can be scaled back to 40 per week, the facility must be open to the public at least five days per week. Due to this clause, Yacovone urged city council members to remind county officials of it before the county finalizes its budget.