Library seeks expanded security coverage as patron visits and service demand grow

Library Director Cathy Billings told the commission the library has experienced a robust year of use — she reported about 19,000 monthly visitors, circulation of more than 264,000 physical items and 41,000 e‑items, and issuance of roughly 4,000 new library cards — and requested additional onetime funding for security guard services to increase coverage during hours the library is open but currently unsupervised.

Billings said the library currently has security coverage for 40 hours per week after a January change that moved a security position to the library; the library is open 58 hours per week. She requested funding that would pay for security coverage either for the 40‑hour level (about $82,000) or full 58‑hour coverage (about $119,000) as a one‑time enhancement, noting that the guards help manage behavior and reduce burdens on staff who are not trained for behavior management.

Commissioners asked whether challenges are related to homelessness; Billings said incidents reflect a mix of mental‑health, substance‑use and homelessness factors and that the presence of a security guard has materially reduced problematic behavior. She also noted that neighboring residents and regional library users contribute to patron counts because California library cards are broadly available.

Staff said the request will be considered with other one‑time enhancements in the proposed budget. No formal action was taken at the meeting.