About Us

We’re individuals from all walks of life who share a deep commitment to safeguarding the essential role of libraries in our community. We are neighbors who value our libraries as places of learning, exploration, and connection, library stakeholders who understand the critical importance of public libraries in fostering equity and opportunity, and Free Speech advocates who believe in the freedom to read and access diverse ideas.

By repealing the Library Review Board and permanently stopping the privatization of Huntington Beach Library, we:

  • The librarians of Huntington Beach are highly trained professionals who diligently curate collections that serve the needs of our community. Their selections are based on professional expertise, ensuring that library materials reflect a wide range of viewpoints, educational values, and cultural representation. The Library Review Board undermines our librarians’ ability to perform this role effectively, replacing thoughtful, professional judgment with restrictive mandates that could limit access to important resources. Let families, not politicians, decide what is appropriate for themselves and their children.

  • Libraries exist to provide knowledge and encourage learning, and restricting access to certain books diminishes their ability to serve that purpose. Creating vague and overly broad restrictions on library materials creates a slippery slope toward censorship. Limiting access to books based on subjective standards can lead to the removal of valuable educational resources, hindering intellectual freedom and critical thinking. Let’s reject censorship and the indoctrination of our children. By defending the right to read, we ensure that individuals and not political or ideological interests maintain control over the information they consume.

  • Government overreach threatens the fundamental role of libraries in promoting access to multiple perspectives. By imposing restrictions on what books are made available, officials get to select which stories and viewpoints are deemed acceptable, which censors the free exchange of ideas. This government overreach disproportionately impacts marginalized communities and limits access to literature that reflects different cultures, histories, and lived experiences. Libraries must remain spaces free from political influence—places where knowledge is open, curiosity is encouraged, and every individual has the opportunity to feel seen and represented.

  • Privatizing our public libraries fundamentally changes their mission from community service to a focus on profits. Libraries are accountable to the public through elected officials and local governance, and this ensures transparency and accountability. Privatization would reduce public oversight, and this would limit residents’ ability to voice concerns, influence library policies, and misuse tax dollars. Without proper accountability, privatized libraries will prioritize cost-cutting over maintaining the high-quality services and programs that our residents rely on.

  • Huntington Beach’s library staff are more than just employees—they are dedicated professionals with deep knowledge of the community’s needs and interests. Their expertise allows them to curate collections, plan programs, and offer valuable services to our community. Privatization will result in staffing cuts, loss of institutional knowledge, and generic, one-size-fits-all collections that fail to meet the specific needs of Huntington Beach patrons. Retaining library management ensures that decisions are made by those who truly understand and care about the community, instead of outside organizations focused solely on financial efficiency.

  • Public libraries are built on the principle of equal access that provide free resources and services to everyone, regardless of income level. Privatization introduces the risk of financial barriers, such as service fees, membership costs, or restrictions on free access to materials and programs. It will also lead to prioritizing more profitable services at the expense of essential programs for underserved populations. By keeping our libraries publicly managed, we preserve their role as community spaces where knowledge, education, and opportunities are accessible to all, ensuring that no residents are left behind due to financial constraints. Let’s tell for-profit companies to keep their hands off our libraries.

Why We’re Here

Our libraries face two significant threats: Censorship from the Library Book Review Board ordinance that restricts librarians from purchasing diverse and educational materials, undermining intellectual freedom; and Privatization, which could outsource library management to private company and risk compromising the library’s public mission and community focus.

By voting YES on both pro-library ballot measures A and B, we can safeguard the library’s future and ensure it continues to serve as a place of learning, inclusion, and opportunity for all.

We invite all Huntington Beach residents to join the Our Library Matters campaign and help protect our libraries. Whether you’re a lifelong library patron, a parent, or someone who values the freedom to read, your voice and support are crucial to this effort.

Mission, Values, and Vision

Mission
To protect the Huntington Beach Public Library System from censorship and privatization, ensuring it remains a trusted, inclusive, and accessible resource for all members of the community.

Values
Intellectual Freedom: We champion the right to read and access diverse materials without interference or censorship.

Public Accountability: We believe that libraries should remain publicly managed and accountable to the communities they serve.

Inclusivity: We support libraries as spaces that welcome and represent people of all backgrounds, ages, and perspectives.

Empowerment: We trust families to make their own decisions about what is appropriate for them and their children.

Vision
We have a vision for Huntington Beach where our libraries remain publicly owned, professionally managed, and free from censorship, providing resources and opportunities that inspire, educate, and empower all who enter their doors.