Libraries are being locked up in Orange

by Isaac Persky

Photo by Isaac Persky

Libraries are an often overlooked indicator of a healthy community. Recent funding cuts to the Orange Public Libraries have cut back hours and ramped up fears over the future of libraries in Orange County. 

The reduced hours affect Orange’s main public library and its two branch locations. The cut is saving the city of Orange $286,000 for the remainder of the 2024-25 fiscal year, said Leslie Hardy, the city’s community services director.

If libraries indicate the health of a community — then ours is a flashing red alarm.

This isn’t just happening in Orange — libraries are being defunded nationwide in a frightening trend. Funding cuts also come during a time of increasing book bans by school boards and local governments. 

Access to books and freedom of speech are essential ingredients to the delicate system that is our democracy and the foundation of our meritocratic values. Allowing these library attacks opens the door for a future of increased censorship and public school curriculums with hand-picked ideological biases. 

To fight against this, a group of Chapman students locked up Little Free Libraries on Chapman’s campus and in Newport Beach this month. The demonstration — featuring a Little Free Library blocked behind chains and caution tape — shows the hard reality of what is happening to library and book access in our country. 

Residents had seemingly adverse reactions to the locked-up Little Free Libraries — as attacks on public and school libraries have gone largely unnoticed by a majority of the population. One couple walking their dog by the stunt in Corona del Mar did a double take as they passed by; another stuck his head out of the car window and stopped for a picture.

The demonstration was done by Chapman University’s Bateman Public Relations Competition team, a student competition put on by the Public Relations Society of America. This year's client is EveryLibrary, an organization that helps push legislation to win library funding at the ballot box and protect against book banning.

The Chapman student group has done more than lock up libraries in protest. Throughout February, they partnered with the PastForward Podcast to produce a three-part series engaging with politicians, authors and economists. They’ve also reached over 70,000 views across social media platforms and garnered 200 signatures on a petition to bring back funding to the Orange Public Library.

Even as libraries and book bans become a contentious topic in partisan national politics, we can still ensure that our freedoms are protected and the vitriol of national politics stays out of our local community spaces. 

Orange is home to the largest National Register historic district in California. It is essential that we keep the rich history of Old Towne Orange preserved through our libraries. 

If funding cuts are justified by a lack of use, we are doing something wrong. Rather than pulling out as residents disengage with the libraries, we must invest time and resources into updating these spaces to attract usage and support residents.  As our community and technology evolve, perhaps the library may evolve with it. We can add new features that excite residents and keep the library busy. 

Orange is unique, and most of its residents want to preserve its history and culture. As the alarm sounds at the sight of a struggling library system, community members must respond to ensure the health and sustainability of Orange.

For more information, visit https://www.instagram.com/everylibrarycu.

This article and accompanying media was submitted by an independent student. If you are interested in having your work featured in The Panther, reach out to pantheropinions@chapman.edu.