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Patrons and residents urge Salinas to fix inconsistent branch hours and computer/Wi‑Fi services
Summary
Multiple public commenters told the commission that Cesar Chavez and other branch libraries have inconsistent hours, limited computer functionality and unmet promises of community Wi‑Fi, asking the city to ensure branches are open and fully operational for neighborhood users.
During general public comment at the start of the March 11 meeting, several residents and community representatives raised concerns about inconsistent hours, limited services and broken or unpaid computer programs at Salinas branch libraries.
A speaker who identified themselves as 'Seger, Ramothria Community' described the Cesar Chavez branch as frequently closed or operating on varying schedules and said community members who come to use Wi‑Fi and public computers often find the branch closed or that programs on the computers are not available because licenses or payments have not been maintained. "We pay a lot of money into that library system... There's no reason why we should ever ever have to pay for anything there," the speaker said.
Joe Alvarado, who said he serves on Measure E committee work, echoed concerns about outreach and hours and asked why libraries were closed during peak needs for students and families. The speakers urged the commission and staff to review branch schedules, confirm that promised AT&T/Pacific Bell community Wi‑Fi was delivered where promised, and to ensure that public computers and copy services are available at no additional charge to users.
Chairperson Fung noted the comments will be recorded in the public record and that email comments received are entered into the record. Staff responded that emailed comments have been distributed to the commission and that public comments are on the record for follow-up.
Next steps: The commission recorded the concerns and indicated staff would follow up; members asked staff to respond to specific operational questions about branch hours, services and the status of promised community Wi‑Fi.
