Library cuts

Second District resident criticized the lack of revenue-raising ideas and proposed a commercial vacancy penalty and legalizing beach street vendors.

A library assistant at El Dorado branch said staffing would be cut by about 50% and asked the city to prevent layoffs and keep six-day service.

A mother showed her daughter's library card and warned that cutting 11 FTEs would gut library programming for children and teens.

A library employee whose grant-funded program ends September 30 urged the council to fully fund the library system.

Said the library was her refuge as a kid and questioned a $40 million police budget increase since 2023 while services are cut.

Representing Friends of the Long Beach Public Library, shared annual report data and asked that any cuts be designed by library leadership; backed the mayor's $50,000 increase proposal.

A librarian of ten years and IAM steward said her household has two city jobs at stake and warned cutting hours and the teen mental health advocate endangers staff and public safety.