Ella Fassler and Anya Ventura write: “Libraries are among the few public spaces still available for people to access basic resources. Following the Great Recession, California saw significant cuts in public programs like health care, education, and child and elder care. With unemployment and houselessness skyrocketing, California leads the nation in its number of unhoused residents. Given the dearth of viable long- and short-term housing, and with the streets heavily policed, libraries have in many ways become de-facto shelters where the unhoused can access electricity, and wash and rest in relative quiet. Yet the Los Angeles Public Library system’s budget has disproportionately prioritized policing since City Librarian John Szabo was appointed in 2012.”