Friends of the Library of Monterey Park v. City of Monterey Park

Opinion

FUKUTO, J.

Introduction

For nearly 60 years, the City of Monterey Park operated its public library, the Bruggemeyer Memorial Library of Monterey Park, in compliance with the Municipal Libraries Act (Ed. Code, § 18900 et seq.). By city ordinance enacted on October 12, 1987, the city ceased to do so. Respondents, a nonprofit corporation, and three incumbent members of the board of library trustees whose offices were eliminated by the ordinance, filed a petition for writ of mandate in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, challenging the legality of the Monterey Park City Council’s action.…