SR 08-24-2022 11A
City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: August 24, 2022
Agenda Item: 11.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Erica Cuyugan, City Librarian, Library Services Department
Subject: Approval of Library Budget Changes to Expand Hours and Service
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the FY 2022-23 budget and position
changes described in the Financial Impact and Budget Action section and Attachment A
of this report to provide support for the expansion of library operating hours.
Executive Summary
On June 28, 2022, during the adoption of the FY 2022-23 Exception-Based Budget, City
Council allocated resources for the Library to enhance Saturday hours at selected
branch libraries and offer additional evening hours. Staff recommends the allocation of
$537,924 in one-time capital improvement program projects that were deferred to
increase library operating hours, including weekly Saturday service at both the Pico and
Montana Avenue branches, and evening hours until 7 pm. The funding grants users
expanded access to library space, public internet and computer stations, services,
resources, and knowledgeable staff and emphasizes the City Council’s commitment to
Equity and Inclusion as a value and key priority. Enhancing branch services and
programs helps families, seniors, youth, and low-income households benefit by
connecting to the library resources they need to thrive.
Discussion
In 2020, Covid became a catalyst for major budget reductions, extensive cuts to
staffing, and the restructuring of the library department. As a result, many of the library’s
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branches have remained shuttered or function with minimal staffing, limited in-person
service and programs, and reduced operating hours.
Pre-Covid library staffing levels were 112.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, but
the restructured department resulted in a reduction of 65.0 FTE (58%) leaving the
library to operate and provide services with 47.0 FTE. Subsequent funding
enhancements since 2020 have increased staffing to 61.2 FTE, including proposals
approved in Fiscal Years 2020-21 and 2021-22 that have allowed incremental increases
to hours and service, with three locations (Main Library, Pico Branch and Montana
Avenue Branch) open for in-person service and one location (Ocean Park Branch) open
through a self-service, automated model.
Using the funding approved through this proposal, the library, which currently operates
at 84 hours per week across four locations, will increase its operations to 116 hours per
week across all five locations. This results in a 38% increase in hours from current
operations. This plan meets key expectations from the community and City Council:
• Main and branch locations will have evening hours
• Two branch locations will be open every Saturday
• All four neighborhood branches will be open
This enhancement marks a milestone in library restoration. For the first time since April
2020, the Library will be able to provide service at every neighborhood branch location
(with a combination of self-service and in-person models) and be open every Saturday
(at two locations). A focus on neighborhood and branch services will include additional
programming for youth and families, alignment and coordination of Main Library
services such as Literacy Education for Adults and Families (LEAF) and workforce
development services, and an increase in branch staffing support. Most residents and
visitors will now be able to walk to the closest neighborhood branch during certain days
of the week. The library continues to rebuild services and hours as funding is restored.
Staff is committed to exploring opportunities to increase hours of operation, programs,
and services.
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Table 1 - Proposed Hours (116 hours per week, including weekly Saturdays)
Main 11:00 AM -7:00 PM 11:00 AM -7:00 PM 11:00 AM -7:00 PM 11:00 AM -7:00 PM
Pico 12:00 PM -7:00 PM 12:00 PM -7:00 PM 12:00 PM -7:00 PM 10:00 AM -5:00 PM 10:00 AM -5:00 PM
Montana 12:00 PM -7:00 PM 12:00 PM -7:00 PM 10:00 AM -5:00 PM
Ocean Park 12:00 PM -7:00 PM 10:00 AM -5:00 PM
Fairview 12:00 PM -7:00 PM 10:00 AM -5:00 PM
Total Hours 8.0 29.0 22.0 22.0 21.0 14.0
Every SaturdayMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
The proposed additional staffing resources, outlined in Attachment A, increases staff by
2.0 limited term FTE and 5.3 FTE as needed staff to enable branch activation on
Saturdays and evening hours. To balance staff resources, the Main Library would no
longer be open on the first Saturday of the month until additional resources are obtained
that would adequately cover the operational needs of the 104,000 sq. foot building on a
weekend. With this enhancement, the Main Library will benefit from enhanced evening
hours and be open an hour earlier than branch locations during the week, Monday
through Thursday.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
06/28/2022
(Attachment B)
Adoption of the Second Year of the FY 2021-23 Biennial Budget,
Adoption of the First Year and Approval of the Second Year of the
FY 2022-24 Biennial Capital Improvement Program Budget
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff recommends approval of the budget changes listed below and position changes
(net 2.0 limited term FTE and 5.3 as-needed FTE) detailed in Attachment A. This
proposal relies on one-time funding from capital improvement program projects that
were deferred for FY 2022-23. If approved, ongoing funding would need to be identified
and requested in the future. New positions would be limited term for FY 2022-23, or until
ongoing funds are identified; however, existing positions (modified via add/delete) would
remain ongoing.
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Because the Library relies on other departments to successfully operate its buildings
and maintenance, Public Works, Information Services Department, and Department of
Transportation have been notified of the proposed changes to operations.
Prepared By: Rachel Foyt, Senior Administrative Analyst
Approved
Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. Position and Classification Changes
B. Written Comment
FY 2022-23 Budget Changes
One-time Budget Appropriation
Fund Department
Limited Term
Net FTEs
As-needed
Net FTEs
FY 2022-23
Amount
General Fund Library 2.0 4.8 $ 502,792
General Fund ISD -- 0.5 35,132
Total 2.0 5.3 $ 537,924
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POSITION AND CLASSIFICATION CHANGES
ATTACHMENT A
FUND DEPT FTE POSITION TITLE FUND DEPT FTE POSITION TITLE
01 Library 1.0 Librarian I 01 Library 1.0 Librarian II Add/Delete -
01 Library 1.0 Library Assistant II 1 Add 1.0
01 Library 1.0 Library Assistant III 1 Add 1.0
PERMANENT EMPLOYEES TOTAL 2.0 FTE
01 Library 0.9 Library Services Officer 2 Add 0.9
01 Library 0.4 Library Assistant I 2 Add 0.4
01 Library 0.8 Library Assistant II 2 Add 0.8
01 Library 0.9 Librarian I 2 Add 0.9
01 Library 1.8 Library Page 2 Add 1.8
01 ISD 0.5 Computer Support Technician 2 Add 0.5
5.3 FTE
7.3 FTE
TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES TOTAL
2 As-needed hours are for FY 2022-23 only.
GRAND TOTAL
1 Limited-term position ending June 30, 2023.
DELETE ADD NET FTE
CHANGEREASON
August 23, 2022 Page 1 of 1
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Packet Pg. 10 Attachment: Position and Classification Changes [Revision 2] (5278 : 1st_Library Budget Changes)
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Vernice Hankins
From:Dana Newman
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 9:23 AM
To:councilmtgitems
Subject:City Council Meeting Agenda Item 11A
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
The Santa Monica community has experienced a significant decrease in access to the public libraries and their
resources since the Covid pandemic began in March 2020. With regard to Agenda Item 11A, I urge the City
Council to approve the FY 2022‐23 budget and position changes described in the Financial Impact and Budget
Action section and Attachment A of the report to provide support for the expansion of library operating hours.
This would restore library services at every neighborhood branch location, provide Saturday services at two
locations, and allow for the development of valuable programs benefitting families, seniors, and youth.
I appreciate your careful consideration of Item 11A.
Sincerely,
Dana Newman
Member, Santa Monica Library Board
Item 11.A 08/24/22
1 of 4 Item 11.A 08/24/22
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Packet Pg. 11 Attachment: Written Comment (5278 : 1st_Library Budget Changes)
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Vernice Hankins
From:zinajosephs@aol.com
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 11:06 AM
To:councilmtgitems; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil
Brock; Sue Himmelrich
Cc:zinajosephs@aol.com
Subject:City Council - 8/24/22 agenda item 11-A -- SUPPORT!
Attachments:City Council - 8-24-22 -- Library budget.pdf
EXTERNAL
August 24, 2022
To: Mayor Himmelrich and City Council members]
From: Zina Josephs
RE: 8/24/ agenda item 11-A: Library Budget Changes to Expand Hours and Service
I strongly support item 11-A.
As a resident of the Sunset Park neighborhood, I've been saddened by the closure of our Fairview Branch Library since
the restructuring.
So I'm delighted to see that, if this item is approved,
1) all 4 neighborhood branches will be open, including the Fairview Branch on Tuesdays from 12 to 7 PM and on
Fridays from 10 AM to 5 PM,
2) 2 branch locations (Montana and Pico) will be open every Saturday, and
3) at least one library will be open until 7 PM on Monday through Thursday.
I'm sure Santa Monica residents look forward to the day when full library service at Main and all branches will be fully
restored. Meanwhile, this is a small step forward.
Thank you to Erica Cuyugan and the rest of the library staff for their ongoing efforts to make the best use of drastically
reduced resources.
______________________________________________________________________
https://santamonicacityca.iqm2.com//Citizens/detail_meeting.aspx?ID=1366
From: NoReply@IQM2.com
Reply-to: clerk@smgov.net
To:
Sent: 8/19/2022 11:20:48 AM Pacific Standard Time
Subject: Agenda Packet - Aug 24, 2022 (Wed) - City Council
SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2022 AT 6PM.
Please see the attached Agenda Packet document for the following meeting:
Item 11.A 08/24/22
2 of 4 Item 11.A 08/24/22
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Packet Pg. 12 Attachment: Written Comment (5278 : 1st_Library Budget Changes)
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City Council
Special Meeting
Wednesday, August 24, 2022 6:00 PM
1685 Main Street, Room 250, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Download PDF Agenda Packet | View Web Agenda Packet
Document Modified: 8/19/2022 11:17 AM
If you no longer wish to be included in this distribution list you can remove yourself through the meeting web portal or reply to this message.
Item 11.A 08/24/22
3 of 4 Item 11.A 08/24/22
11.A.b
Packet Pg. 13 Attachment: Written Comment (5278 : 1st_Library Budget Changes)
1
Vernice Hankins
From:Geraldine <gak.cpp@gmail.com>
Sent:Wednesday, August 24, 2022 11:29 AM
To:councilmtgitems; Christine Parra; Gleam Davis; Kristin McCowan; Lana Negrete; Oscar de la Torre; Phil
Brock; Sue Himmelrich
Subject:Item 11A Reopening and expanding hours at libraries
EXTERNAL
Mayor and Council Members,
I wholeheartedly support the reopening of Fairview (for 14 hours/week) and expansion of library services throughout
the city and endorse the comments by our neighborhood President, Zina Jacobs, attached below.
As timid as it is, I consider this gesture a positive step and look forward to the time when Fairview will receive support
for a restoration of all hours, services, and programs ‐ in just compensation of having been closed entirely for nearly 3
years!
In appreciation,
Geraldine Kennedy, former Planning Commissioner and proud user of the Fairview Branch
As a resident of the Sunset Park neighborhood, I've been saddened by the closure of our Fairview Branch Library since
the restructuring.
So I'm delighted to see that, if this item is approved,
1) all 4 neighborhood branches will be open, including the Fairview Branch on Tuesdays from 12 to 7 PM and on
Fridays from 10 AM to 5 PM,
2) 2 branch locations (Montana and Pico) will be open every Saturday, and
3) at least one library will be open until 7 PM on Monday through Thursday.
I'm sure Santa Monica residents look forward to the day when full library service at Main and all branches will be fully
restored. Meanwhile, this is a small step forward.
Thank you to Erica Cuyugan and the rest of the library staff for their ongoing efforts to make the best use of drastically
reduced resources.
Item 11.A 08/24/22
4 of 4 Item 11.A 08/24/22
11.A.b
Packet Pg. 14 Attachment: Written Comment (5278 : 1st_Library Budget Changes)