Steinbeck Library II

Forgot to highlight this excerpt from the Times story:

Sommer Brooke, 11, a sixth grader who spoke at the read-in, questioned how Salinas could close libraries in one breath and ask schools to raise reading test scores in the next.

"It is like feeding someone but giving them no food," she said, "teaching children to read but cutting off their access."

City officials said the closings were forced in part by the defeat of several tax measures on the ballot in November. But some conceded that two measures failed because they did not specifically discuss how the libraries would have been affected.

Sergio Sanchez, a city councilman who voted to keep the libraries open, said that even if the state decides to help Salinas, the community must remain involved.

"We as citizens have to step up," he said. "There is no one else to help us."