County to recruit credentialed librarian and explore partnerships after board hearing

County staff told the board on June 2 that Trinity must either provide a credentialed librarian (per state education-code standards) or continue a formal arrangement with another jurisdiction. The county previously contracted with Humboldt County for that credentialed role, but Humboldt indicated it could not continue the arrangement.

CEO Todd Hill presented three options: (1) reclassify and recruit a local credentialed county librarian with a G2 salary range, (2) enter an MOU with another county or city librarian to provide the credentialed function, or (3) contract library operations to a private library-services firm. Staff said option (1) would require a net increase of roughly $50,000 in the FY2026-27 budget while providing local control; option (2) would mirror the prior Humboldt arrangement; and option (3) could lower ongoing operating costs but change local staffing and volunteer relationships.

Friends of the Library and public commenters urged retaining current local branch staff and volunteers, warning that outsourcing could damage branch-level volunteer networks.

After discussion, the board authorized staff to revise the county librarian job description, advertise nationally for credentialed candidates, and, if recruitment fails, pursue MOUs or contracted support and further research nonprofit or retired-part-time credentialed options. The board asked staff to return with recruitment results and further analysis in coming budget discussions.