🔥 Book Battle Erupts: Pima County's Library Plan Faces Fierce Opposition
📊 By the Numbers: Decoding Pima's Library Usage Shift 🚐 Beyond Walls: The Vision for a Mobile Library Future 🔍 Trust on Trial: Transparency Concerns Cloud Library Plans
Some speakers and board members called for a deeper dive into the library's budget, noting that the Pima County library district collects around $67 million in revenue but only spends about $51.5 million on library services.
😽 Keepin’ It Simple Summary for Younger Readers
👧🏾✊🏾👦🏾
📚🚪 The library folks want to close some libraries and turn others into 🚐 moving libraries! This is happening because fewer people are visiting the buildings, while more are using 💻 computers to borrow books. But many people are upset 😡 because they love their libraries and don’t want them to shut down. They argue that libraries are vital for 📖 learning, using computers, and providing a safe haven 🏡 for everyone. Now, everyone is brainstorming 💡 on how to keep libraries open and supportive for all!
🗝️ Takeaways
📚 Proposed closure of Joel D. Valdez Main Library and other branches sparks community outrage
📉 Library usage data shows 50% digital circulation, in-person visits halved post-pandemic
👥 Severe staffing shortage revealed: over 1,000 weekly service hours unfilled
🚐 New focus on mobile services and community outreach proposed
🗣️ Community members emphasize libraries' role in education, equity, and social support
🔍 Lack of transparency in plan development criticized by the board and public alike
💰 Questions raised about library funding allocation and the potential for increased support
📚 Pima County Library Closure Plan Ignites Community Firestorm
This article is based solely on the information and statements shared at the Library Board meeting on September 5th, 2024, below.
🔥 Proposed Shutdowns Spark Heated Debate at Board Meeting
In a packed meeting room at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, Pima County residents and library advocates clashed with administration officials over a controversial draft plan that could see the closure or repurposing of several beloved library branches.
The September 2024 Library Advisory Board meeting (video above) became a battleground for the future of public libraries in the region, exposing deep rifts between bureaucratic pragmatism and community values.
🏛️ Main Library on the Chopping Block
Perhaps the most shocking revelation was the potential closure of the very building hosting the meeting. Library Director Amber Mathewson unveiled a proposal to shutter the Joel D. Valdez Main Library, citing a staggering $90 million price tag for needed renovations. "We're really evaluating this actual building," Mathewson explained, adding that the administration is "looking at alternate spaces downtown."
This announcement sent shockwaves through the audience.
Amanda Castillo, a long-time Tucson resident, voiced the sentiment of many: "Do you want to have the legacy of saying we closed the main library? I have friends from Phoenix who called and said, 'You're closing your main library. How can that be?'"
📊 Data-Driven Decisions or Community Disconnect?
Library administration presented a barrage of statistics to justify their proposals. Kate DeMeester-Lane, head of collections and technology, reported a seismic shift in library usage: "Between fiscal year 2022 and 2023-24, our digital search rose by over half a million checkouts, which is 30%." In-person visits have plummeted from a pre-pandemic high of 6 million to a stable 2.5 million in recent years.
However, these numbers faced scrutiny from both the public and board members.
One astute board member questioned, "You're open fewer hours than you were before the pandemic. So is that a fair metric?"
This observation cuts to the heart of a key dispute: whether the data truly reflects changing community needs or simply the consequences of reduced services.
👥 Voices from the Frontlines: A Community Rallies
The call to the public section of the meeting became a rallying cry for library defenders, with speaker after speaker emphasizing the vital role libraries play in their lives and communities.
Logan Phillips, a poet and longtime library advocate, passionately spoke about libraries' impact on his children's lives.
"Closing libraries is never the answer. Downsizing libraries is not the answer," Phillips declared, urging the board to "advocate for us and represent us."
He shared that his children, who have had library cards for half their lives, have each checked out more than 200 books, underscoring the profound impact of libraries on young readers.
Marla May Webster shared a poignant personal story that highlighted the library's role as a lifeline during times of crisis.
"If I hadn't been able to come to places like this to be able to use the computer, I don't think I would have been able to finish high school," Webster revealed.
She described how the library provided crucial support during a period of homelessness, emphasizing the importance of libraries as one of the few remaining public spaces where people can gather without financial barriers.
Susan Anderson, a former librarian with nearly three decades of experience, offered a unique perspective on libraries' evolving role.
"I worked as a librarian from 1994 to 2023. So, I saw libraries from pre-internet all the way to basically today," Anderson stated.
She praised the library's ability to provide human connection in an increasingly digital world, noting how crucial this was during her personal challenges of relocating family members.
Carlos Antony, a college student, raised important questions about the logic behind the proposed changes.
"If you're planning to build a new library and you can't even keep the old ones... we're just leaving back to the same original problems," Antony pointed out, highlighting the potential inconsistencies in the administration's plan.
Rachel Schoop, a data archivist for NASA's Human Research Program, brought a technical perspective to the discussion. She questioned the methodology used to identify branches for closure and raised concerns about potential changes to librarian qualifications.
"My quick research online suggests that the salary range is approximately $50K. So the Librarian I positions that PCPL listed were average for Arizona and slightly below the national average," Schup noted, suggesting that staffing issues might be addressed through improved compensation and recruitment strategies.
🚐 A New Chapter or a Closed Book?
Library administration envisioned a more mobile, outreach-focused future for library services.
A library services manager, Alina Rowe, enthusiastically described plans for increased community engagement: "Guess what? We're coming to you. And that's what we need to be doing."
The proposal includes converting some branches into community engagement hubs and increasing mobile services to reach underserved areas.
However, this vision of a more flexible library service was met with skepticism from community members who value libraries as physical spaces and community anchors. Many speakers emphasized the importance of libraries as safe spaces, particularly for youth and vulnerable populations.
💼 Staffing Crisis Unveiled
One of the most startling revelations of the meeting was the severe staffing shortage facing the library system. Maggie Natividad, Technology Manager for Pima County Public Libraries, presented data showing that despite recent hires, the library system remains short over 1,000 weekly service hours.
This shortfall represents a staggering 25% reduction in the workforce since 2020, a period coinciding with increased societal need for public services and support.
🔍 Transparency and Trust in Short Supply
Perhaps the most damning criticism of the night came from board members themselves, who expressed shock at the lack of transparency in developing the plan.
"The leaking of this report was so damaging," one board member stated. "You have to start with a transparent public process. It just undermines so much of the credibility."
Several speakers and board members called for a more inclusive planning process, with one board member suggesting, "I think as a board, we need to be careful on what kind of messaging we're sending to people as well. And we can't be saying, if we are constantly calling them closures because that's not even what it's talking about."
💰 Funding Questions Arise
Throughout the meeting, questions about library funding and budget allocation surfaced repeatedly.
Some speakers and board members called for a deeper dive into the library's budget, noting that the Pima County library district collects around $67 million in revenue but only spends about $51.5 million on library services.
This discrepancy led to calls for increased transparency in budget allocation and exploration of potential funding increases before considering closures.
As the meeting stretched into the night, it became clear that the battle for Pima County's libraries was far from over. The administration's promise of future community engagement was met with cautious optimism, but the trust deficit created by the rollout of this plan looms large.
🔮 The Road Ahead
In response to the overwhelming community feedback, the library administration committed to a more robust public engagement process moving forward. This will include community surveys, focus groups, and forums to gather input on the proposed changes. The timeline for major changes, particularly the closure of the main library, has been reviewed.
Board members called for future agenda items to include a detailed explanation of the library budget and potential renovation costs for the main library.
There was a clear consensus on the need for a slower, more deliberate decision-making process that fully incorporates community input.
In the end, the meeting adjourned with more questions than answers. What is clear, however, is that Pima County residents are not ready to turn the page on their beloved libraries without a fight. As the community rallies to defend these bastions of democracy and equitable access to knowledge, the next chapter in this story remains unwritten. The coming months will be crucial in determining the future of Pima County's libraries and the communities they serve.
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