Public libraries in Fresno County are under attack.

As you've likely heard by now, on June 2, Supervisor Bredefeld asked the County Administrative Officer to look into the potential cost savings associated with privatizing the Fresno County Public Library system, which is comprised of 34 branches across Fresno County and is also the main hub of the San Joaquin Valley Library System, a consortium of ten public library systems across seven counties in Central California.

For a thorough report on the situation, Fresnoland published an excellent piece on June 26. In short, though, the County will be considering contracting with Library Systems and Services, a for-profit corporation known for culling collections, cutting staff hours and benefits, and even cutting back on important community resources, like materials and programs in Spanish.

As Friends, we are very concerned. We are concerned for the staff, for the community, and for ourselves as library lovers. Additionally, we are concerned for what this means for Measure B, the one-eighth of one cent tax that has long provided more than 50% of the Library's funding and should be up for renewal in 2028. Taxpayers deserve open, transparent access to the things they pay for, and libraries are unique in that patrons can walk into an air conditioned building, fill a water bottle, use a restroom, and access books, music, movies, programs, cheap mobile printing, wifi, computers, State Parks passes, and more, all at no additional cost. Your taxes will not likely decrease, but the services and resources you can access, as well as the quality of those services and resources, may.

What can you do to help?

The situation is urgent, but there are a lot of unknowns. Even so, though, there are a handful of ways you can help right now:

• If you don't have a library card, sign up for one! You can do so at any branch at no cost. (Need help finding a branch?) The more you use library resources, the more it helps the library prove its worth and importance to the community!
• Consider writing a letter to the editor! The Fresno Bee, Mid Valley Times, and Community Alliance are excellent places to start, but if you have another paper you like in your community, consider seeing if they accept letters to the editor.
• Let your County Supervisor know that your value public libraries and don't want your public services sold off to a corporation! Don't know who your Supervisor is? Check here! The links below will open an email directly to your Supervisor, but their phone numbers are also included. (Stating your opinion in writing is always helpful because it becomes public record!)
  • District 1: Brian Pacheco (559) 600-1000
  • District 2: Garry Bredefeld (559) 600-2000
  • District 3: Luis Chavez (559) 600-3000
  • District 4: Buddy Mendes (559) 600-4000
  • District 5: Nathan Magsig (559) 600-5000
• Spread the word! Make sure your friends, family, and neighbors know that privatization is on the table and what it might mean for the community.
• Become a Friend of the Library! Fundraising and advocacy for the Fresno County Public Library is all we do, and in these trying times, we could use all the help we can get!