A draft plan that called for the downsizing or closure of five libraries across Tucson, including the main branch downtown, has been tabled after unloading a massive amount of public reaction.
Pima County's library district "has decided to table" the draft plan it released in August, Amber Mathewson, the library director, said in a Sept. 26 memo. The proposal called for closing four library branches, and possibly downsizing and moving of the Joel D. Valdez Main Library downtown by the end of the year.
"Having heard the concerns of constituents, the Library will instead take time to refocus and create an extensive public outreach campaign to both help explain the challenges the Library is trying to overcome, and garner ideas from the community on the most desired services and programs," Mathewson said in the memo.
Pushing back the timetable for any major changes will allow the library system to hear from the public about what it wants from its libraries, MathewsonΒ said.
Mathewson said the district department "will work with the Library Advisory Board, County Administration, and the Board of Supervisors to craft a plan."
A draft plan that called for downsizing or closing some of Tucsonβs library branches, including Joel D. Valdez Main Library downtown, has been pulled back for now.
The initial draft planΒ calledΒ for downsizing the Main Library downtown and four other branches as part of a cost-saving plan.Β The recommendations were included in a draft report and attached to anΒ Aug. 16 memoΒ Jan Lesher, the county administrator, sent to supervisors.
Several factors were listed as contributing factors to the potential cuts, including rising costs, maintenance needs and lower usage after the pandemic. The plan also cited an ongoing "critical staffing shortage" faced by the library system, according to the draft plan.
Lesher previously told the Star that any decisions with regards to cuts or closures of the five branches mentioned in the draft plan would not happen until next year.
Lesher at the time cited that the library advisory board had yet to receive a formal discussion about the proposals and that had been a lack of community outreach and public comment.
