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Kern County library associate tells supervisors libraries are understaffed and underfunded
Summary
A Kern County Library associate described understaffing, low pay and the range of library services that could be affected; the board acknowledged the comment and offered follow-up contact.
Anna Medel, a Kern County Library associate, addressed the Board of Supervisors during public presentations on Feb. 11, describing staffing and pay problems at the library and outlining the department's services.
Medel told the board she has worked for the Kern County Library since September 2023 and described libraries as "spaces of education" that provide free meals to children, programming for all ages, technology assistance, language tools and public-health resources such as Narcan distribution. She said library staff are "understaffed, underpaid, overworked and overwhelmed," and urged the board to place greater value on library employees and services.
Board members thanked Medel for her remarks and encouraged follow-up contact with the CAO's office to discuss staffing and budgets. No board action was taken during the public comment time other than acknowledgment and offers to follow up with staff.
