Huntington Beach Rejects Letting Voters Decide on Outsourcing City Libraries

The debate over turning library management over to outsiders stems from disputes over children’s section books that some deemed ‘inappropriate.’

A group of Huntington Beach residents organized a pop-up event to raise awareness of what they say are “inappropriate” books in the children’s section of the city's library, at City Hall in Huntington Beach, Calif., on April 16, 2024. Courtesy of Patricia Pappas

The Huntington Beach City Council recently rejected a proposal to ask voters if the city should outsource its library operations.

The council’s conservative majority voted 4–3 May 7 against the proposal, which would have put a measure on the city’s November ballot asking if voters in the future and the city’s council should be able to determine a change in the city’s library management.