With an almost certain loss of funding, county officials will most likely approve the closure of 15 libraries in the Los Angeles County system.

Aside from such closures, other branches like Hermosa Beach could experience a cutback on hours to what many residents already consider deficient.

“I have not heard yet anything about a cut in library hours,” said Councilman Art Yoon. “If there is a draconian cut in hours, I will certainly look at all options including reopening discussion of a city-run library.”

The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors is now aware that if a $7.3 million cut is approved at the county level, it would have to close 15 of its 84 libraries and cut hours at other branches. The system’s budget is an estimated $84 million and it will possibly lose an additional $1.6 million in state funding.

Hermosa Beach’s library endured a cut in hours in 1993 when the state faced a budget crisis many contend is far less serious than the one it faces now. During that time, the state raided local and county property tax coffers to balance its deficit and the county reduced Hermosa’s library hours from 35 hours to 16 hours per week. Since 1997, the library has been open five days a week for 35 hours.

In past years, the city contemplated leaving the county because of a decrease in the level of services and hours as a result of county budget cuts.

In November, the City Council examined the option of leaving the county system and operating the library locally, but eventually voted not to secede from the county.

“I don’t think we should react until all of the chips are laid out again, I don’t want to rush to judgment and I don’t want to leave the system unless it does wrong by our city and we need to look elsewhere,” said Councilman Michael Keegan. “I’ve always liked the county system and I don’t feel like I’m up against the wall at this point.”

Those opposed to the withdrawal claimed the library would suffer budget cuts felt in operation hours and library staff due to the state’s budget deficit. The shortfall may affect property tax revenues that would fund library operations if the city did leave the county.

The state could take funds from city coffers which could affect local services and programs through the absence of city property tax revenues.

They also believe the city’s proposed operating budget of $530,000 generated by such property taxes is not enough for the city to run the library on its own.

“We do pay in more than we get back in services,” added Keegan. “It is a complicated situation and if we did pull out of the county, one problem is that we would have to purchase materials and books today for about $600,000.”

Proponents to a secession contended the state budget shortfall will adversely affect local library services and programs whether the city decides to stay with the county or not. If it did break away from the county system, the city would have operated the library locally through property tax revenues.

“We are not going to consider this again today or tomorrow. We have to see what the state does with its budget in terms of cuts and we probably won’t see that until September,” explained Keegan. “So we won’t look at the issue, if we decide to again, until the fall or early next year, but I feel that the option of leaving the county is a last resort.”

According to data tracked by the Los Angeles County Public Library system, approximately 11,000 people are registered borrowers of the library. Of those 11,000 people, about 6,800 are Hermosa Beach residents. A total of 9,143 residents are registered library cardholders.

In 2004, the city may also look into a partnership with Redondo Beach and El Segundo, cities which have left the county system.