Pima Library Faces Uncertain Future Amid Closure Proposals

The Pima County Public Library Advisory Board convened on Friday with County Administrator Jan Lesher to address significant proposed changes to the library system. These changes, first outlined in August, included the potential closure of three branches by year-end and renovations at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library in Downtown Tucson, necessary due to staffing shortages and deteriorating conditions.

In response to widespread public concern, Library Director Amber Mathewson announced in September that the proposal had been placed on hold for further evaluation. At Friday’s meeting, Lesher reassured board members that no final decisions had been made and confirmed that the Main Library would remain operational. “Nothing is changing at this point in time… a lot of options are on the table,” she stated, emphasizing that renovation plans remain undefined.

Lesher noted that the Main Library requires substantial repairs due to ongoing maintenance issues, and the county aims to consolidate renovations for efficiency. While the library was originally slated to close in December, Mathewson indicated that timeline has been postponed without providing a new date.

The proposed strategy involved downsizing the Main Library from three floors to one, reallocating staff to other branches due to decreased monthly visits, which are now under half of pre-pandemic figures. Mathewson outlined challenges in staffing, revealing a 100-librarian deficit since 2020 and a current shortage of over 1,000 hours weekly.

Dr. Francisco Garcia, Deputy County Administrator, explained that potential hires are opting for roles in research and philanthropy rather than public libraries, creating a recruitment crisis. Mathewson reported that for a recent job opening for Level I Librarians, only 29 applications were collected for 12 positions. In contrast, 250 applications came in for Library Assistant roles, prompting discussion on possibly removing the master’s degree requirement to attract more candidates.

Library Advisory Board Member John Halliday voiced concerns about the library’s reduced operating hours, questioning the justification for decreased services amid rising taxes. He pointed out that Pima County’s library budget is among the highest in the region, suggesting financial reasons are not the issue. “They don’t have a crisis,” Halliday remarked, highlighting the disconnect between budget and services.

Looking ahead, Lesher announced plans for a public outreach campaign set to launch in January. The Board members urged for transparency throughout the decision-making process to restore trust in the system following the controversial memo’s release. “People trust libraries,” Lesher emphasized. “If they don’t feel that we’re being honest, how is that going to affect their well-being and their trust in government?”