There have been discussions about barring UL & SLCC students who come from outside Lafayette from using the Lafayette libraries. We think we successfully pushed back on that, but there are still efforts to slash the libraries.
It started with a program the LPL did NOT schedule, and was NOT responsible for, the 'Drag Queen Story Time.' That was an outside effort, and it fell within Library rules for usage of the facilities. The Library had no grounds to block it.
But some used it as an opportunity to attack the library. Before a millage renewal a couple of years back, a last-second bulk mailing -- from someone outside of the parish -- claimed that the library had a surplus, and that the millage was waste.
That 'surplus' was money budgeted for library repairs, expansions, and a new library.
The millage failed. Now the library is in a budget squeeze.
The following links to my comments in The Current. Please share with local professionals & business owners as you see fit:
https://thecurrentla.com/2021/letter...and-economics/