Five Long Beach Libraries Could Lose Monday Service Under Proposed Budget

Bay Shore, Burnett, El Dorado, Harte and Michelle Obama libraries could return to five-day schedules as Long Beach looks to close a $58.2 million budget gap.

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Adrian Morales

Adrian Morales covers breaking news, public safety, and community stories across Long Beach for Long Beach Classic.

Five Long Beach libraries could soon lose one day of service each week under the city’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

The proposal would eliminate Monday hours at Bay Shore, Burnett, El Dorado, Harte and Michelle Obama neighborhood libraries, bringing those locations back to five days of service each week.

The change is part of Long Beach’s proposed $4 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which attempts to close a $58.2 million structural deficit. The new fiscal year begins October 1.

The Cuts Go Beyond Library Hours

The proposed reduction would save approximately $1.28 million and eliminate the equivalent of 11 full-time positions within the library system.

That includes five Library Clerk positions, four Library Assistant positions, a vacant General Librarian position, and reduced page hours. The proposal would also reduce funding for security services.

The city says reducing Monday hours at the five branches would allow it to preserve core library services across Long Beach during the remaining operating days.

Long Beach Recently Expanded Library Hours

The proposed cuts come only a few years after Long Beach began expanding six-day library service.

The city started adding additional service in Fiscal Year 2023, choosing branches throughout different parts of Long Beach based on factors including location, community needs and library usage.

Last year, the City Council specifically approved funding to prevent Bay Shore, Burnett and Harte libraries from losing their sixth day of service.

Now, those three branches, along with El Dorado and Michelle Obama, are once again facing reduced schedules.

The cuts are still part of the proposed FY27 budget and are not yet final.

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