SUPPLEMENTAL SPECIAL MEETING 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

teens overflowing the desks, tables and chairs everyday after school. The Library provides these students with a place to study, but also a safe place to meet and socialize, a valued service in the post-COVID era. The Library offers a variety of Storytimes for all age groups, often attracting not only the child, but also the parents and grandparents, taking part in fun songs, stories and movement which build early literacy skills and kindergarten readiness in these children. These are examples of just a few of the many services the Library provides and which will be disrupted by a limitation in Library hours. The Library has already been hamstrung by the City Manager’s edict almost a year ago that we would not be allowed to introduce any new programming—even though the Library’s programs are not funded by the City. We have a dedicated and hard-working volunteer organization, “The Friends of the Pleasanton Library” who fund all Library programs through bi-annual and ongoing book sales. The Friends recently had a book sale which brought in over $15,000, none of which is allowed to be spent on Library programming, due to the “optics”. The City Manager wants the Library to appear poor, limiting programming, even when it has the resources to maintain and increase the quality programming which is so important to our community. Perhaps the most petty and injurious part of the City Manager’s recommendation to cut Library funding, is his desire to cut the Library collection budget by half. While saving only just over $100,000, this cut will decimate the Library’s ability to continue to provide quality and accessible materials to our patrons. While it is clear that the City Manager does not see the value in a strong and accessible Library as the heart of a vibrant community, I hope that members of our City Council can recognize the importance of our Pleasanton Public Library, and the many services it provides to all of our residents, as the center of our diverse and vibrant community. Please do not make these cuts to our precious Library. If cuts need to be made, my recommendation is to separate the Library and Recreation Departments. Currently we have a Director of Library and Recreation, an Assistant Director of Library and an Assistant Director of Recreation. By separating the Departments, we would only need a Director of Library and a Director of Recreation, eliminating one of these very highly compensated positions. Additionally, combining these Departments has created confusion, blending the essential and critical services of the Library with the non-essential, but desirable, services of the Recreation Department. Thank you for your time,