Former Santa Clarita City Council member TimBen Boydston has been subpoenaed regarding a lawsuit against the City of Santa Clarita for its decision to remove its libraries from the County of Los Angeles Public Library.  

The group behind the lawsuit is Save Our Library, Inc. a nonprofit from Santa Clarita. Local attorney Donald Ricketts is representing the group.  

According to Ricketts, he hasn’t subpoenaed anybody else in the matter, though he believes there is reason to do so.

The lawsuit – originally filed at the beginning of October and updated on October 12 – makes three particular complaints against the City of Santa Clarita, including City Manager Ken Pulskamp and Deputy City Manager Darren Hernandez.  

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Those complaints include: 1) That disclosure of the public’s personal information – particularly its library use – to a private company, is forbidden; 2) That the City has failed to produce certain documents regarding the proposal and resolution to take over the libraries; and 3) That the City should not be able to contract with Library Systems and Services, LLC for operation of the public libraries in Santa Clarita.  

During his tenure as a City Council member, Boydston joined the Library Ad-Hoc Committee along with Councilmember Marsha McLean.  

Boydston has said that the committee’s original purpose was to discuss how to fund the new library in Newhall.  

When Boydston’s term on City Council ended in 2008, his seat was filled by current Council member Laurie Ender, who then joined the Library Ad-Hoc Committee.  

At the July 13 City Council meeting, speaking on behalf of the library, Ender requested the City consider its withdrawal from the County Library system.  

On August 24, Council voted 4-1 to secede from the County Library, and award a contract with LSSI to operate the three Santa Clarita libraries in Valencia, Canyon Country and Newhall.  

The decision was made after nearly 50 people spoke against the move. Few spoke in favor of the City’s intentions.  

The City will take over operation of the libraries on July 11 of next year.  

As part of the transition, Council voted unanimously on October 12 to form a Citizens Public Advisory Committee. According to City staff, the aim of the committee is to provide assistance with a community needs assessment as well as developing a strategic plan for the libraries.  

The committee, which will meet monthly, is expected to last from seven to nine months.  

Those wishing to apply for the Citizens Public Advisory Committee can do so here.  

The deadline for applications is November 12.