Ramos: Closing the budget gap shouldn’t mean closing library doors

Our libraries are under siege — from coordinated book bans to funding cuts that threaten their very existence. Last Friday evening, the president signed an executive order to reduce funding to the Institute of Museum and Library Services, specifically threatening the Grants to States program which provides funding to local libraries.

In San Jose, all departments have been asked to trim their budgets by 12% in an effort to close a $46 million budget deficit. With library funding already stripped to the bone, this would result in devastating layoffs and the loss of vital library programs for children and families.

Public libraries are not a luxury — they are critical to our social infrastructure. They provide free and safe learning environments, foster early childhood development and ensure access to technology for those who need it most. Investing in our libraries is key to achieving the mayor’s stated goals of reducing homelessness, increasing public safety and strengthening our local economy.

The library is one of San Jose’s most-used and highly-rated public services, serving nearly 1 million residents a year. In 2023, library visits increased by 20%, demonstrating growing demand, particularly from our most vulnerable residents — children, seniors, students and working families. Yet we continue to have one of the lowest-funded per capita library systems in the Bay Area.

Libraries are one of the few public spaces where families can gather, learn and grow together. San Jose’s libraries offer early childhood development programs like Wee Play, where parents and caregivers engage in activities that build their children’s social, cognitive and motor skills. These programs provide the foundation for lifelong learning, ensuring children are ready for school.

As a mom, I’ve experienced firsthand the impact of library programs. My 2-year-old has benefited from 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, which has nurtured her love of reading. Studies show early literacy programs significantly boost a child’s academic success. But a 12% cut would put these and other critical programs in jeopardy.

The modern world demands digital literacy, yet in the self-proclaimed tech capital of Silicon Valley, tens of thousands of families lack reliable internet access and/or devices at home. Libraries have stepped in to close this gap, offering free Wi-Fi, computer access and career services that help residents develop professional skills and find jobs. At a time when information access is under attack, we must take a stand by protecting our libraries — not gutting them.

Last year, our libraries hosted more than 15,000 events and programs serving more than 321,000 participants, and library patrons made over 270,000 computer reservations. A 12% cut would mean fewer library hours, fewer computers and fewer staff to help patrons navigate the digital world. While all departments play a role in the city’s prosperity, it is important to remember our libraries are an investment in San Jose’s equity and economic growth. The California State Library reports that every $1 invested in libraries returns up to $10 to our economy.

This is not a zero-sum game. There are ways to “right size” our library’s budget without laying off librarians. By leveraging partnerships with local organizations that specialize in early childhood education, digital literacy and workforce development, we can free up library staff to focus on core services. This approach would ensure critical programs remain available while maintaining operational efficiency.

City leaders have an opportunity to determine whether our libraries continue to serve as beacons of knowledge and learning or become yet another casualty of political and financial neglect. If we want a future where every child, every family and every resident has access to opportunity, we must demand they choose the former.

Angelica Ramos is a public voices fellow of the OpEd Project in partnership with the National Black Child Development Institute. She serves as the vice chair of the San Jose Public Library Commission and holds a law degree with a specialization in the legal rights of children within systems, birth through adulthood.