LONG BEACH, Calif. — August 31, 2026 — The Long Beach Public Library Foundation applauds Mayor Rex Richardson’s recommendation to restore Monday service hours across the Long Beach Public Library system and establish a three-year partnership with the Foundation to support continued Creativity Lab programming and services.
In a letter to the City Council’s Budget Oversight Committee, Mayor Richardson recommended identifying approximately $1.275 million in annual structural funding to restore Monday library service hours. He also called for the City to work with the Long Beach Public Library Foundation on a three-year partnership to support the Creativity Lab.
The recommendation comes after several weeks of community discussion and engagement around proposed reductions to library hours and services. During that time, the Library Foundation has worked alongside residents, library supporters, community partners, the Mayor’s office and members of the City Council to share the importance of maintaining access to library services throughout Long Beach.
More than 6,700 supporters have signed the Library Foundation’s petition calling for library funding to be protected, while others have attended public meetings, submitted written comments and contacted City leaders directly.
“Libraries are an essential part of the fabric of our community, providing access to education, technology, workforce resources and welcoming spaces for residents of all ages,” said John Mathews II, Board President of the Long Beach Public Library Foundation. “We are grateful to Mayor Richardson for his leadership and for identifying a path that supports continued Monday access while creating an opportunity for the Library Foundation to deepen its partnership with the City.”
Following action by its Board of Directors, the Long Beach Public Library Foundation has committed $250,000 annually for the next three years — a total of $750,000 — to support the Creativity Lab and related library priorities in partnership with the City.
That new commitment is in addition to the more than $1 million the Library Foundation contributes annually to support programs, materials, technology, literacy initiatives and other enhancements throughout the Long Beach Public Library system.
“The Library Foundation is proud to continue its long-standing partnership with the City and the Long Beach Public Library,” said Veronica Garcia Dávalos, Executive Director and CEO of the Long Beach Public Library Foundation. “We deeply appreciate Mayor Richardson’s leadership in identifying recurring structural funding for Monday hours, and we are pleased to make an additional $750,000 commitment over the next three years to help support the Creativity Lab and other shared priorities. We look forward to continuing this collaborative work on behalf of the community.”
The Library Foundation is grateful for the many residents who have participated in the budget process and shared their support for Long Beach’s libraries. Their engagement has helped highlight the important role libraries play in neighborhoods across the city.
The Library Foundation’s latest commitment also comes as it celebrates 30 years of service to Long Beach. Founded in 1996, the Long Beach Public Library Foundation has contributed more than $29 million to the Long Beach Public Library over the course of its history, supporting literacy, educational programming, technology, collections and expanded opportunities for residents across the city.
The Mayor’s recommendations will now move through the Budget Oversight Committee and City Council as part of the continuing FY27 budget process. The Long Beach Public Library Foundation looks forward to continuing to work with Mayor Richardson, the City Council, library leadership and community partners as the budget process moves forward and as the City and Foundation develop a three-year framework to support the Creativity Lab.
