Willows council approves part‑time children’s librarian after debate over full‑time role and budget limits

The Willows City Council voted unanimously April 8 to authorize hiring a part‑time children’s librarian to restore library programs for children this summer.

Council members and dozens of residents who spoke during a long discussion divided over whether to restore the role as a part‑time position now or wait until the city’s finances can support a full‑time hire. After public comment and council questions, members approved a motion to hire a part‑time librarian; the motion passed 5‑0.

City staff and library advocates said reinstating a children’s librarian is needed to run summer reading and regular children’s programming. Pediatrician Becca Boney told the council that programs tied to the library reach families who otherwise lack books, and that “without a summer reading program… there is nothing for our kids to do here.” Phady Irons, coordinator for the Glenn County local childcare planning council, cited county reading rates and told the council many children’s earliest learning experiences occur at libraries.

Library staff described how the position had been full time while funded in part by a grant through fiscal 2023, then reverted to part time after the grant ended; the full‑time librarian left in February. Jody, library staff, described the difference between part‑time and full‑time coverage: a single full‑time children’s librarian previously ran a wide menu of activities, outreach and school visits; a part‑time hire typically is limited to about 19 hours a week and has less capacity to plan expanded outreach.

Council members repeatedly noted the city’s tight finances as they weighed whether to fund a full‑time position. City staff reminded the council that Measure I, a recently approved local sales tax measure, will not generate its first receipt for the city until July; the city manager said the months ahead are the leanest in the current fiscal forecasting. Councilmembers said they support the library but must balance other urgent needs including public safety and public works.

Council discussion also touched on technical limits: staff explained that CalPERS membership rules are triggered by part‑time annual hour thresholds, and that many part‑time library roles are kept at roughly 19 hours a week to avoid automatic CalPERS enrollment. Council members asked staff to explore whether summer scheduling could allow more hours temporarily without creating CalPERS obligations and asked library staff to propose how a part‑time hire would prioritize programming.

After the vote the council directed staff to proceed to hire a part‑time children’s librarian and to return in future budget discussions with options and any fiscal implications of increasing hours or restoring a full‑time position. The council also asked staff to pursue partnerships with county and neighboring libraries for program sharing where feasible.

The vote was 5‑0 to hire a part‑time children’s librarian; the motion did not identify a named mover or seconder in the audio record. The council asked staff to work on scheduling and compensation details and to revisit the staffing level as part of the next fiscal‑year budget process.

Looking ahead, council members said they hope a part‑time hire will enable summer programming and outreach while keeping the city within near‑term budget limits; several members said they want staff to return later with metrics on attendance and program reach to inform a future decision on making the position permanent and full‑time.