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Santa Monica library staff report new hires, expanded branch days and higher FTE count
Summary
Library staff reported new hires and promotions, restored hours at several branches, programming plans including an open house on July 8, and an increase in authorized staffing from 74.3 to 84 FTE following position realignments.
Library staff updated trustees on branch operations and staffing, saying the system has added new hires and will expand days of service at neighborhood branches.
At the meeting, a staff presenter said the Montana Branch will operate Tuesday through Thursday and on Saturdays; Fairview and Ocean Park schedules were also adjusted so the system will offer more branch days overall. Staff announced a Montana Branch open house tied to the branch’s new service day on July 8 and said Montana staff will lead a garden field trip to show newly planned pollinator plantings.
The presentation introduced several new or recently promoted employees. Staff introduced Leslie Flores as the new librarian based at Montana Branch; Flores described her background in school and public library roles, saying she “started out as a teen volunteer” and has worked in multiple library positions in recent years. Staff also noted promotions to library assistant three and other librarian roles to support youth services and literacy programs.
Staff reported that authorized staffing after recent realignments is now 84 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, up from the 74.3 FTE reflected in the budget adopted last June. The speaker summarized the staffing mix as roughly 59 permanent full-time employees and about 45 as-needed or part-time employees, representing roughly 104 persons on the payroll against the 84 FTE figure.
Why it matters: trustees said restoring branch hours and adding staff are priorities after earlier staffing reductions. The additional positions are intended to stabilize youth services and literacy programs and to support expanded hours and programming across branches.
Board action and next steps: trustees unanimously approved the April 9 minutes at the start of the meeting. Staff said they will continue recruiting for a small number of remaining vacancies and will monitor whether grant funding changes affect program staffing in future budget cycles.
