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Q&A
Discussion on library funding and expanded services
3:18:43
ยท
67 sec
Council Member Rivera addresses the crucial role of libraries in the community and their unmet financial needs. She inquires about additional resources for libraries and funding for increased seven-day service. Director Jiha responds with the administration's perspective on library funding.
- Rivera highlights the various roles libraries play in communities and their unmet financial needs
- She inquires about prioritizing additional resources for libraries and funding for expanded seven-day service
- Jiha states that libraries were funded at an appropriate level in the previous budget but commits to reviewing their needs as the adoption process approaches
Carlina Rivera
3:18:43
Okay.
3:18:44
Well, I know they'll be sure to let us know, and they'll let you know as well.
3:18:47
And just my my last question on on libraries.
3:18:49
We know the role that they play.
3:18:51
Their civic centers, they nourish creativity, they promote literacy, they cultivate a love of reading, and they have a combined fiscal twenty twenty six unmet expense need of $44,800,000 as everything from uncovered wage growth, health insurance, liability insurance, rents, capital ineligible IT ed and deferred maintenance needs, supplies among other expenses.
3:19:15
Will the administration prioritize giving the libraries additional resources to fund their unmet needs, and does the preliminary budget have funding to support increasing seven day service to more neighborhoods?
Jacques Jiha
3:19:31
As part of budget negotiation last year at adoption, we funded the libraries from our perspective at the appropriate level.
3:19:40
But again, we will, as we get closer to adoption, will work with you, review their needs to see, and if we have resources, we'll work with you to see what can be done.