Rob Richard

Regarding Dana Parsons' column on the perceived fears of Santa Ana librarians who claim intimidation from the department head Rob Richard: Parsons' writing confuses me. If he had to face the wrath of a managing editor or publisher, perhaps he would empathize with those who are fearful for their livelihood. WILLIAM E. HARPER El Monte

There are plenty of odd jobs in Hollywood, but Rob Richards concedes he has one of the weirdest. As pipe organist at Disney's El Capitan Theatre, the restored 1926 movie palace on Hollywood Boulevard, Richards is an anachronism. "Obviously, this is the most bizarre career choice -- to choose to play an instrument that hit its heyday in the 1920s," Richards says. "Who would have ever thought that in the year 2006 someone could make their living playing a theater organ?"

Rob Richard doesn't think he's a bad boss. As head of Orange County's oldest library system, he is in charge of a $614,000 book budget, largest in city history. He persuaded the City Council to renovate and expand the Central Library for $1.5 million, the first major remodeling for the 30-year-old building. And he launched one of the nation's first Spanish-language bookmobiles to encourage the Latino community to use the library.

Rob Richard doesn't think he's a bad boss. As head of Orange County's oldest library system, he is in charge of a $614,000 book budget, largest in city history. He persuaded the City Council to renovate and expand the Central Library for $1.5 million, the first major remodeling for the 30-year-old building. And he launched one of the nation's first Spanish-language bookmobiles to encourage the Latino community to use the library.

There are plenty of odd jobs in Hollywood, but Rob Richards concedes he has one of the weirdest. As pipe organist at Disney's El Capitan Theatre, the restored 1926 movie palace on Hollywood Boulevard, Richards is an anachronism. "Obviously, this is the most bizarre career choice -- to choose to play an instrument that hit its heyday in the 1920s," Richards says. "Who would have ever thought that in the year 2006 someone could make their living playing a theater organ?"

An electronic security system to prevent unauthorized taking of books has been installed at the main Santa Ana Public Library and at the Newhope and McFadden branches. Library Director Rob Richard said the new system trips a detector if a person attempts to leave the library with materials that have not been properly checked out. He said the system also can detect materials placed in briefcases or bags.

A 19-year-old man pleaded not guilty Friday to fatally shooting a Chatsworth couple, a prosecutor said. Rickey Smith Jr., described by authorities as a friend of a son of the slain couple, entered his plea in Van Nuys Municipal Court, Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert Dver said. Prosecutors allege that Smith and his cousin were trying to rob Richard and Donna Landau when they tied the couple up in their Chatsworth home and shot them to death Jan. 2. Smith's next court appearance is to be Feb.

School trustees have voted to study the possibility of opening a public library on the Saddleback High School campus. City library director Rob Richard said the joint-use library could be the first of its kind in the state. A typical high school library has about 10,000 books, Richard said, while a standard city library contains about 80,000 volumes. The cost of the library is estimated at $4 million, but officials do not have the money in hand.

San Diego police have arrested a 16-year-old Clairemont boy in connection with a fatal shooting during an attempted robbery last week in a motel parking lot. The juvenile's name has not been released because of his age. Police have identified Charles Barkar, 18, of Clairemont, as one of two men who attempted to rob Richard Thompson, 59, of Calexico, last Wednesday night at the Clairemont Motel 6. Thompson fatally shot Barkar, and the juvenile fled on foot, police said.

The Santa Ana Public Library has received more than 740 new Spanish-language books as a gift from the Mexican consulate, library officials said. The donated volumes include children's picture books, encyclopedias, art and science texts on each state in the Mexican Republic and bestsellers such as "Like Water for Chocolate," said librarian Ninfa Duran.

Regarding Dana Parsons' column on the perceived fears of Santa Ana librarians who claim intimidation from the department head Rob Richard: Parsons' writing confuses me. If he had to face the wrath of a managing editor or publisher, perhaps he would empathize with those who are fearful for their livelihood. WILLIAM E. HARPER El Monte

More than 70 librarians and their supporters Monday night asked the City Council to remove Library Director Rob Richard from his post because he "terrifies" his employees. "We're asking that the city protect their employees by removing the library director," Ed Bentley, president of the Santa Ana City Employees Assn., told the council. "The fear is real in the libraries." The employees raised yellow flyers at the meeting asking that Richard be ousted. However, Mayor Daniel H.

"The Art of Motion Picture Costume Design," featuring costumes selected from 13 1995 movies, will be on display at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Gallery Feb. 19-April 18. Featured films include "Apollo 13," "Restoration," "Sense and Sensibility," "Rob Roy," "Richard III" and "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar." The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising is located at 919 S. Grand Ave. Gallery hours are Mondays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.