LONG BEACH, Calif. — September 9, 2026 — The Long Beach Public Library Foundation thanks Mayor Rex Richardson and the Long Beach City Council for approving the FY27 budget, which restores Monday service hours at five neighborhood libraries and establishes a three-year partnership with the Foundation to support Creativity Lab programming and services.
The approved budget restores $1,275,575 and 11 staff positions within the Library, Arts & Culture Department, preserving Monday hours at the Bay Shore, Burnett, El Dorado, Harte, and Michelle Obama Neighborhood Libraries.
The budget also advances a three-year partnership between the City and the Long Beach Public Library Foundation, building on the Foundation’s commitment of $750,000 over three years to support the Creativity Lab and related programming.
The action follows Mayor Richardson’s recommendation in late August to identify ongoing structural funding for Monday library hours and pursue a partnership with the Foundation. That recommendation came after weeks of community advocacy calling attention to the importance of maintaining access to library services across Long Beach.
More than 7,000 people signed the Library Foundation’s petition urging City leaders to protect library funding. Residents also attended public meetings, submitted comments, contacted elected officials, and shared their stories about the importance of libraries in their neighborhoods.
“This is what community advocacy and partnership can accomplish,” said John Mathews II, Board President of the Long Beach Public Library Foundation. “We are deeply grateful to Mayor Richardson, Budget Oversight Committee Chair Dr. Joni Ricks-Oddie, and the full City Council for listening to residents and taking action to protect Monday library hours. Thousands of people spoke up because they believe access to our libraries matters, and City leaders responded.”
Following action by its Board of Directors, the Library Foundation committed $750,000 over three years to support the Creativity Lab and related library priorities in partnership with the City. That commitment is in addition to the approximately $1 million the Foundation contributes annually to support programs, materials, technology, literacy initiatives, and other enhancements throughout the Long Beach Public Library system.
“We are proud to build on our partnership with the City to support the Creativity Lab and strengthen access to library services,” said Veronica Garcia Dávalos, Executive Director and CEO of the Long Beach Public Library Foundation. “We thank Mayor Richardson and the City Council for their leadership on this budget, and the thousands of Long Beach residents who made their voices heard throughout this process. This is a meaningful investment in libraries and in our entire community.”
The agreement comes as the Library Foundation celebrates 30 years of service to Long Beach. Founded in 1996, the Foundation has contributed more than $29 million to support the Long Beach Public Library, including investments in literacy, educational programming, technology, collections, and expanded opportunities for residents throughout the city.
The Library Foundation is grateful for the extraordinary community support shown throughout this year’s budget process and looks forward to continuing to work alongside residents, City leaders, and library partners to support and celebrate libraries across Long Beach. The Foundation also looks forward to building on this partnership with the City over the next three years and continuing to invest in programs and opportunities that strengthen Long Beach libraries.
