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Cerritos to close city library on Sundays starting Nov. 9 to save $200,000 in FY 2025–26
Summary
City staff recommended and council acknowledged an informational report to close the Cerritos Library on Sundays effective Nov. 9, 2025; staff estimated $200,000 in first‑year savings and said no layoffs would result, while residents urged making the change temporary and preserving popular weekend access.
CERRITOS, Calif. — City staff advised the Cerritos City Council Oct. 27 that closing the Cerritos Library on Sundays, effective Nov. 9, 2025, will reduce the library’s FY 2025–26 operating budget by an estimated $200,000. The item was presented as an informational report and staff said no employees would be laid off as a result of the reduced schedule.
Eric Cardoso, the library services manager, told the council the library’s approved FY 2025–26 operating budget is $5,626,151 and that Sunday had been identified as the day with lowest attendance. "Effective 11/09/2025, the Cerritos library will be closed on Sundays," Cardoso said, adding that the selection of the closure day was based on patron visitation data.
During public comment, residents and frequent users urged the council to treat the closure as temporary. Catherine Pasquale and Nicole Yokoyama told the council the library draws weekend visitors — including out‑of‑town visitors after recent media exposure — and that Sunday access supports students and families who rely on weekend hours for study and research.
Council members asked staff whether specific line‑item reductions could further reduce the library budget. Staff noted a recent memo that suggested a $50,000 reduction in the books and materials account could be possible without materially affecting the circulating collection, but also warned the market is in flux after longtime vendor Baker & Taylor announced it was ceasing operations. City staff said that uncertainty could affect pricing, discounts and lead times for obtaining materials.
Mayor and council members emphasized the library’s community value and asked staff to treat the change as temporary if possible, while the city continues broader budget adjustments. Council did not take a separate, recorded roll‑call vote on the closure during this informational item; staff framed the Sunday closure as part of the adopted FY 2025–26 budget adjustments and said they will work within budget direction and report back as needed.
What happens next: The Sunday closure is scheduled to begin Nov. 9, 2025. Staff will continue work on procurement for replacement vendors and will return to the council with further information about budget adjustments and possible restoration of hours when finances permit.
