Latest news with #HuntingtonBeachPublicLibrary
Los Angeles Times
02-07-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Huntington Beach to explore moving International Surfing Museum
Huntington Beach's International Surfing Museum, established in 1987 by Ann Beasley and Natalie Kotsch, has been a mainstay downtown on Olive Avenue since 1990. But the museum could be moving a bit north as part of a merger with the Main Street branch of the Huntington Beach Public Library. The City Council voted 7-0 on Tuesday night to direct staff to evaluate the feasibility of locating the surfing museum within some underutilized space in the library. The item was brought forward by Mayor Pro Tem Casey McKeon, Mayor Pat Burns and Councilwoman Gracey Van Der Mark after the International Surfing Museum approached the city asking for more space to display larger surfboards, some dating back to the 1930s, along with other archival materials. Van Der Mark expressed hope that a shared space between the museum and library, along with the Huntington Beach Art Center across the street, could create an art district on the fifth block of Main Street. 'I think actually outgrowing the current facility is a good problem to have,' she said. 'We're trying to find a solution. It is Surf City USA … maybe it'll be a little destination. Instead of just coming down to the first block to shop, second block to eat, maybe tourists can work their way out there to go to the surf museum and the library, maybe even collaborate with the library and having some reading programs.' International Surfing Museum executive director Peter 'PT' Townend said he has an extensive library of surf magazines and books, along with other relics. 'We're going to create a study center of surf culture,' said Townend in an interview following Tuesday night's meeting. 'We hope to help with one of the educational institutions, one of the colleges, as part of that.' Townend added that Mike Adams, a member of the museum's board of directors, has already sketched out some possible layouts. 'It's a big step forward, in my opinion, for Surf City,' Townend said. 'We need to be bigger and better. We've been operating world-class exhibits in a box, and now it's time to get bigger and better … We might have lost the Olympics, but we're still Surf City. We want people to come here for the Olympics, to come visit Surf City and see the International Surfing Museum.' He added that the International Surfing Museum, which debuted an exhibit about Duke Kahanamoku last year, is planning for a 2026 exhibit to honor the 50th anniversary of the World Surf League. Townend, originally from Australia, became the first professional surfing world champion in 1976. City staff will review the Main Street library branch's compatibility with the surf museum, operational impacts and required land use entitlements and return to the City Council within 90 days with findings and next steps. Visit Huntington Beach, the city's tourism agency, has indicated preliminary support for the move and could help with relocation and operating costs.
Los Angeles Times
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Commentary: Before they open a book: the politicization of Orange County's public libraries
The Huntington Beach Public Library is a community paragon and is expected to unveil its 50th anniversary plaque this month — a plaque that has sparked controversy with its politicized messaging. Emblazoned with the MAGA acronym and slogans from previous presidents, the plaque is one of many ways politics have infiltrated Orange County libraries, especially the children's sections. Politicization through book bans, extremely partisan city councils and physical signage has skewed our youngest readers' perception of literature. To combat literary politicization, the state of California recently chartered the Freedom to Read Act, restricting book banning in state-funded facilities. Will this be enough to protect Orange County children's right to read? Every new parent is urged to create avid readers for a reason. Reading is key to a child's development. It is known to improve children's critical thinking and concentration, develop their senses of empathy and creativity, and introduce them to different cultures and experiences. Orange County public libraries support families' reading goals with their children's sections and events such as story time, reading challenges and family book clubs. Yet our public libraries have faced roadblocks to free access in recent years. According to the American Library Assn., book bans have been on the rise in the last few years, and nowhere is this clearer than in Huntington Beach. Although free access to literature is considered a protected 1st Amendment right under free speech, Huntington Beach officials have been among those who believe children's sections should be monitored. Just last year The Huntington Beach City Council ordered its central library to move books with 'sexual content' out of the children's section. The 'sexual content' in question? Books on potty training, puberty, and anatomy — subjects integral for children's development. The state of California seeks to reduce such instances of book banning. The Freedom to Read Act, AB 1825, dictates that by Jan. 1, 2026, all state-funded libraries must write and publish a collection development policy. Collection policies cannot allow the removal, relocation, or restriction of books based on political, LGBTQ+, or racial content, topics that frequently justify book bans. This act would especially affect children's sections, cementing diverse stories on children's shelves. Supporters view this act with optimism toward a bipartisan state library system, especially for littles; in contrast, some municipalities, including Huntington Beach, expressed contempt for AB 1825 and seek to fight against it. Book bans are not the only conduits of library politicization; city councils and infrastructure are politicized as well. While AB 1825 aims to reduce politicization of public libraries, it only focuses on library content. Despite librarians, volunteers and patrons alike voicing concerns about the presidential slogans on the Huntington Beach Public Library's 50th anniversary plaque, the City Council unanimously approved the design. When the plaque is unveiled, families will encounter politicized messages from both the left and the right before even cracking open a book. Despite its best efforts, AB 1825 will not eliminate politicization by a long shot. Orange County citizens are responsible for protecting the integrity of our libraries, especially for our children. Community members can directly support public libraries by simply going to their local library and taking out a library card. This increases the library's door count and card count and can dictate its allocated resources. Advocate for children's free, bipartisan access to literature in public libraries by voicing concerns at city council meetings and reaching out to representatives. Relatives of school-age children can attend school board meetings and defend librarians and teachers. Parents should discuss what content their children should and should not be reading at their age while encouraging curiosity on diverse stories. Orange County public libraries have encouraged both proper development through reading and love for books in thousands of children; it is up to its citizens to protect the libraries from politicization so thousands more can experience the benefits of free access to literature. Meredith Starkenburg is a lifelong Orange County resident who studies education and English at the College of William and Mary.
