TITLE
Recommendation to direct City Manager to identify within 90 days the additional resources needed to implement changes from the Long Beach City Auditor’s Library Services Performance Audit of 2020 Operations to meet the access and equity flaws identified.
DISCUSSION
The resources under review should not be limited and should include structural and budgetary recommendations to improve Library operations and services.
Over the last several years, Library Services has responded well to changes in library use and the reduction of library staffing given the difficult budgets the City of Long Beach has experienced. They have continued to adapt to the needs of the community, despite significant resource challenges. For that, they should be commended.
Recently, City Auditor Laura Doud completed an audit of the Library Services Department of the City of Long Beach. The audit yielded several findings and resulted in a number of recommendations that are critical to the continued service objectives of our library services such as adapting to changes of use and continuing to change its staffing models to meet the needs of today’s library user. The audit states, “Computer access and help to use electronic devices have become some of the primary reasons people visit libraries. These changes have refined library customer service and require updated staffing roles and structures.” This is just one of the areas where libraries have seen a shift in user needs.
The Library Services audit findings of current operations are that it is not delivering services in the most efficient and needed manner. Specifically, there are access, language, and other barriers that have resulted in inequities in Library services to the communities it serves.
The audit made the following findings to be addressed both in short-term and long-term strategic planning, with a focus on staffing and budgeting. The City Manager is, therefore, directed to work with the Library Services Department to ...
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