Current Staffing Challenges

Pima County Public Library is understaffed. We calculate staffing coverage by factoring in multiple interconnected criteria, such as annual leave, appropriate work duties by classification, and the unique service points of each location that include service desks, circulation, in-charge staff, and other customer service points.

Essentially, we compare the total number of people available to the total number of service points that have to be staffed for the hours that location is open.
Using that math the library is currently -1,136 hours short a week.

There are a few reasons we are in this situation:

• Since 2020, the profession has seen a tidal wave of retirements and people leaving the profession as part of the “Great Resignation” as the crisis of need in libraries escalates. By 2023, only 146,552 librarians remained, a loss of 44,955 over five years. Unlike some library positions that do not require a Masters of Library Science (MLS), librarian positions often do have that requirement, so the potential for recruitment is limited to those who have an MLS. At a time when we need more people to do the same work safely and effectively in libraries, we have fewer staff and less institutional knowledge than ever before, as well as a smaller pool from which to hire.
• We expanded locations without expanding staff. We opened a new location, the W. Anne Gibson Esmond Station in 2021. Further, we completed our expansion of the Sahuarita Library in Fall 2021 which grew the footprint of that location from 2,000 to 17,700 sq feet. Martha Cooper’s expansion is doubling the size. Yet, we did not add any positions to account for that expansion.
• We had net loss of positions. While our vacancy rate is low, there was an overall loss of 67 positions from 2020 to present that has contributed to this shortage.

In the long-run, funding can have a substantial beneficial effect on the future of the library. But, we can’t spend our way out of this current problem.
This situation is critical. We’re looking for ways to address this issue.

One proposal is to reconsider services at three branches. The changes may be temporary closures or long-term closures.

The current branches under consideration are:

Dewhirst-Catalina Library

Key Stats
1.1% of total circulation
0.8% of total gate count
53% of library cards for this location are for those who live outside of Pima County
Ranked 26 out 27 for Computer Use
Ranked 24 out of 27 for Meeting Room Use

The Dewhirst-Catalina Library incurs significantly higher operational costs compared to other libraries of similar size due to its unique financial obligations. Unlike its counterparts, the Dewhirst-Catalina Library operates out of a leased building, which necessitates regular rental payments. Additionally, the library is responsible for common area maintenance expenses, further inflating its operational budget. These costs, absent in buildings owned by Pima County, result in Dewhirst-Catalina having operational expenses that are nearly double those of similar-sized libraries.

We will hold a community forum about Dewhirst-Catalina Library services. The date is TBD. At the forum we will expand on proposed changes and proposals for other options.

Santa Rose Library

Key Stats
0.2% of total circulation
4.2% of total gate count
Ranked 20 out of 27 for Meeting/Study Room use
Ranked last in circulation

A significant portion of the operational costs of the Santa Rosa Library is allocated towards hiring a daily security guard. Given the escalating number of violent incidents and the influx of children visiting the library after school hours, the presence of a security guard is deemed necessary from opening to closing time.
Despite these challenges, the Santa Rosa Library continues to witness high levels of program activity and attendance. While some programming takes place at the Santa Rosa Recreation Center, Head Start, and local schools, it is worth noting that these programs have successfully continued even during a two-month closure for fire damage remediation in March.

We will hold a community forum about Santa Rosa Library services. The date is TBD. At the forum we will expand on proposed changes and proposals for other options.

Frank De La Cruz-El Pueblo Library

*0.2% of total circulation
2.1% of total gate count
Ranked 26 out of 27 for programming
Ranked 21 out of 27 for computer use *

In March 2021, County Administration contacted the City of Tucson to address increasing service requests related to feces removal, building damage, cleanup of drug paraphernalia, cleanup of trash/broken glass, graffiti removal, the replacement (including specialized coating) of the library’s monument sign due to vandalism, and overall lack of services at the Neighborhood Center. Employees and customers complained of the open drug use in the library restrooms as well as along walking paths and in front of buildings.

There were a couple of times that library security cameras caught people starting fires overnight dangerously close to the building. As a result, additional roving security patrols were implemented, and restrooms were opened at the Laos Center, which temporarily reduced issues. Over time, patrols decreased, landscaping became overgrown, graffiti and trash became prevalent, impacting the Frank De La Cruz-El Pueblo Library.

We will hold a community forum about Frank De La Cruz-El Pueblo Library services. The date is TBD. At the forum we will expand on proposed changes and proposals for other options.