Long Beach Public Library Saved

By SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 9/18/2008

California’s Long Beach Public Library has been saved. The city council recently adopted a $3.1 billion budget, which would keep the once-threatened main library open and save several other slated cuts, reports the local Press-Telegram.

In order to help an expected $16.9 million budget shortfall, city officials had recommended across the board cuts, including the main library.

But an alternate plan was introduced at the eleventh hour that would keep the library open. Next year’s fiscal budget, which begins October 1, includes a general fund of $404.2 million to cover services such as libraries, police, fire, parks and recreation, and street repair.

There is a catch, however. The library would stay closed two days a week and reduce hours, staff, and resources to make up a needed $1.8 million in savings, the Pres-Telegram reports.

While the new proposal had called for the library to be closed Sunday and Monday, the council also voted to cushion the financial impact of the cuts by giving the library $258,000 more to work with. It is unclear how that money will be used and whether it will mean restorations to staff or hours.