Pima County Library Scraps Controversial Year-End Closure of 3 Branches

Pima County Public Library officials have decided to postpone a proposed plan that aimed to close three underperforming branches by year’s end. Library Director Amber Mathewson communicated this decision in a memo to the Board of Supervisors last Thursday.

The original proposal, which surfaced in a report released on August 16, suggested closing Dewhirst-Catalina, Santa Rosa, and Frank De La Cruz-El Pueblo libraries indefinitely. Additionally, the Joel D. Valdez Main Library would face temporary closure for renovations and downsizing. Mathewson acknowledged in her memo that the plan lacked the intended public discourse prior to its rollout.

“However painful it may be, we cannot continue to support the full number of 27 library locations with our available staff,” the report stated. This necessity arose amid a wider staffing crisis, with Pima County reporting a loss of 100 librarians since 2020. A staggering shortfall of 1,136 staffing hours per week has compounded the issue, creating challenges in serving the community effectively.

Monthly visits to the Main Library have diminished to half their pre-pandemic levels, underscoring the urgent need for extensive renovations. Certain branches earmarked for closure, such as the Frank De La Cruz-El Pueblo Library, have encountered significant social issues, including open drug use and vandalism, leading to the permanent presence of sheriff’s deputies.

The Library Advisory Board held two public meetings on September 5 and September 24 to discuss this contentious issue and gather community feedback. Local poet and educator Logan Phillips attended the first meeting, advocating for the preservation of the branches. “I know the library system can’t solve systemic issues on its own,” Phillips remarked, “but we believe that reducing the system isn’t the solution.”

During the September 24 meeting, technology manager Margot Natividad highlighted severe understaffing challenges, noting that librarians have had to stagger lunches to keep the branches operational. “Is it good stewardship of our money, our staff?” Natividad questioned. “Should we be there because you like the idea of us being there, or should we be there in a safe facility?”

Following the public discussions, Mathewson indicated that the library system plans to launch an extensive outreach campaign. This initiative aims to educate the public about ongoing challenges while soliciting community input on potential solutions.