TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: Vice Mayor Chappie Jones
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: JUNE BUDGET MESSAGE DATE: June 13, 2022 FOR FY 2022-2023
Approved Date: 6/13/22
RECOMMENDATION
1. Accept the Mayor’s Budget Message.
2. Accept Supplemental Memo from Council Members Cohen and Foley regarding providing Library staff discretion to determine the appropriate list of libraries where hours should be extended on Sundays, utilizing operational, equity, proximity, and usage considerations.
DISCUSSION
Funding for libraries is near and dear to my heart, as my mother was a librarian. In March 2022, I joined the San José Public Library Foundation and called for library hour restoration and the appropriation of $2 million to support the effort.
I appreciate the Mayor’s inclusion of $2.165 milllion in the proposed budget in response to my colleagues’ (Council Members Esparza and Davis) budget documents, and nearly $2 million as ongoing funding in future years to open 13 branch libraries serving lower resourced neighborhoods on Sundays. Libraries are an essential service and respite for adults and children.
This funding will ensure that San Jose Public libraries are able to continue to provide valuable services to our community including children and adult literacy outreach, caregiver support and coding classes, educational programs that inspire children and teens to choose a college-bound path, professional development, and programs that help ensure equitable access to the digital world. These programs and more serve to educate, engage, and empower residents to achieve their full potential.
As a strong proponent of restoring library hours to pre-pandemic services, I support the recommendation of Council Members Cohen and Foley and request that Library staff have the discretion to determine the appropriate list of libraries where Sunday hours should be extended according to operations, equity, proximity, and usages.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 6/14/22
FILE#: 22-907
ITEM: 3.3