Mesa Public Library outlines Gateway opening timeline, bookmobile rollout and operating costs

Polly Bonnet, director of Mesa Public Library, told council the system is preparing to open a new Gateway branch this fall and is rolling out expanded outreach including a new bookmobile called the Read Runner.

Bonnet said the Gateway library project is on track for a fall opening and staff hiring is underway: the presentation said gateway staffing should be complete by June 2025, staff will move materials into the branch in August and the library is targeting a public opening in the fall (staff said Oct. 18 is a target date).

Why it matters: the new branch and outreach work expand library service coverage across Mesa. Staff said about 28% of Mesa residents live outside current branch service areas, and the Gateway branch plus a bookmobile aim to reach those residents.

Opening‑day and budget details Bonnet said the Gateway opening includes significant one‑time costs for an opening day collection, furniture, fixtures and equipment. The presentation listed an opening‑day collection cost of about $1,100,000 and a broader outfitting and FFE (furniture, fixtures and equipment) package that drives a spike in the current year’s revised budget. The library’s 2025–26 proposed operating budget was described as an ongoing $11.9 million to run four full‑service branches, the automated Mesa Express location, the Read Runner bookmobile and the outreach team.

Bonnet said fiscal year 2023–24 year‑end actual spending was about $8.8 million; the revised 2024–25 budget shows a one‑time increase (the Gateway FFE and opening‑day collection) that pushed the revised budget higher. Staff said they expect to move roughly $2.5 million of those one‑time costs into the next fiscal year to match the timing of vendor deliveries and installation.

Read Runner and outreach The library launched the Read Runner bookmobile this spring. Bonnet said the service carried about 1,500 books and the first public outreach day drew approximately 588 attendees who checked out material; staff plan 12 stops on a recurring route and will publicize dates and locations. The Read Runner is intended to provide curated collections, seed‑library items and other services in neighborhoods that do not have a full branch.

Mesa Reads and performance measures Bonnet also highlighted the year‑long Mesa Reads initiative, part of a citywide reading effort. The library reported surpassing an initial goal of 1 million minutes read and reaching 2 million minutes, and staff increased the goal to 5 million minutes citywide.

Operational notes and efficiency Library staff reported about $700,000 in vacancy savings during 2023–24 as the library created a new outreach team and shifted staffing; those savings contributed to the year‑end actuals. Staff also noted recurring investments in the collection: the library’s annual book‑collection budget was reported at about $506,000. Bonnet said Mesa library checkouts saved residents an estimated $24,000,000 in market value of materials loaned during calendar year 2024, a calculation staff use to show community value.

Reductions and program impacts Tony Garvey and Bonnet outlined several base adjustments and small reductions, including a decision not to renew one press‑reader subscription that performed below expectations and minor staffing adjustments affecting shelving capacity and turnaround times. Staff said the library will preserve the core program schedule and outreach while using volunteers and process adjustments to reduce direct personnel costs where feasible.

Quotes and next steps Bonnet said of the Read Runner launch: “We had 588 people attend or check out our bookmobile and meet with our outreach staff that day.” She added staff will return with a final master‑plan report next month. No formal council action was required on the budget presentation; staff will return with detailed budget materials and implementation steps as part of the normal budget review process.