Long Beach city officials have unveiled a budget proposal that would shut the city’s public libraries on Mondays and eliminate more than a dozen library positions.
The plan, presented by the Long Beach city government in coordination with the Long Beach Public Library, is aimed at easing a municipal budget that is under pressure from rising costs. City leaders say the measure is necessary to balance expenditures as the demand for library services continues to climb.
Under the proposal, library patrons would lose access to all branches for one day each week, a change that would affect regular users who rely on the facilities for reading, internet access, and community programs. At the same time, the suggested staff cuts would remove more than twelve workers from the library workforce, further reducing the institution’s capacity to serve the public.
City officials note that the library system has seen increased patronage in recent years, putting additional strain on a budget already constrained by broader municipal financial challenges. The proposed reductions are being considered as part of a broader effort to address the shortfall while maintaining core services.
The Long Beach Public Library and its employees have not yet issued a formal response, but the proposal is expected to be reviewed by the city council in the coming weeks. If adopted, the changes would take effect in the next fiscal year, altering the schedule and staffing levels of the city’s library network.
Community groups and patrons have expressed concern that limiting library hours could disproportionately affect low‑income residents who depend on the libraries for free internet, job‑search assistance, and after‑school programs. Advocates argue that cutting staff could also diminish the quality of services, even as the library’s role in the community expands.