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John McCormack / Angel City Press / Los Angeles Public Library / Publishing

Council File 26-0307

Approved — the Library Commission and Arts Committee have greenlit a publishing deal for John McCormack's book through Angel City Press. It's now waiting for final City Council sign-off by early July before the agreement can be executed.

Introduced
2026-03-03
Last changed
2026-06-23
Status
open
Expires
2028-06-23
Committee
Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee
Initiated by
Board of Library Commissioners
References
Board Resolution: 2026-8 (C-8); 2026-24 (C23)

Brief

The Board of Library Commissioners initiated a publishing partnership with Angel City Press to produce a book centered on John McCormack in connection with the Los Angeles Public Library. Council adopted the measure 11-0 on April 17, 2026. A subsequent Board of Library Commissioners document was referred to committee in early June and approved by the Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee on June 23, 2026. The file remains open and pending final processing.

Full summary

This file covers a publishing agreement between the Los Angeles Public Library and author John McCormack, under which Angel City Press would receive an exclusive license in the copyright of McCormack's book The Last Condors of Eaton Canyon. The arrangement is a formal publishing partnership routed through the library's governance structure, with the Board of Library Commissioners serving as the contracting party on behalf of the city. The Board of Library Commissioners first submitted the matter in late February 2026. The Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee approved it in late March, and the full City Council adopted the initial measure on April 17, 2026, by a vote of 11-0, with four members not voting. Council action became final on April 21, 2026. The Board then submitted a follow-up document on June 1, 2026, covering the formal publishing agreement itself. The committee considered this at its June 23, 2026 meeting and approved three specific recommendations: awarding the publishing agreement to McCormack for the exclusive copyright license, authorizing the City Librarian and City Attorney to make any technical or clerical changes needed, and authorizing the Board's President and Secretary to execute the agreement once all required approvals are complete. The committee voted 2-0 in favor, with one member absent. The matter is now awaiting a final vote by the full City Council. The committee report designates July 1, 2026 as the last day for Council action, with an overall file time limit of August 3, 2026. No fiscal impact statement has been submitted, and no community impact statements have been filed.

Activity (11)

  • 2026-06-23 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee approved item(s) .
  • 2026-06-18 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on June 23, 2026.
  • 2026-06-05 Board of Library Commissioners document(s) referred to Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee.
  • 2026-06-03 Document submitted by Board of Library Commissioners, dated June 1, 2026.
  • 2026-04-21 Council action final.
  • 2026-04-17 Council adopted item, subject to reconsideration, pursuant to Council Rule 51.
  • 2026-04-14 City Clerk scheduled item for Council on April 17, 2026.
  • 2026-03-24 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee approved item(s) .
  • 2026-03-19 Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee scheduled item for committee meeting on March 24, 2026.
  • 2026-03-04 Board of Library Commissioners document(s) referred to Arts, Parks, Libraries, and Community Enrichment Committee.
  • 2026-03-03 Document submitted by Board of Library Commissioners, dated February 26, 2026.

Documents (8)

Council votes (1)

  • 2026-04-17 Vote — 11-0-4 · Regular

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