Beginning September 15, the San Diego Public Library is adjusting its Monday operating hours — a change that comes after a hard-fought budget season. At one point, our city’s beloved libraries faced the very real possibility of being closed completely on Sundays and Mondays and becoming a five-day-a-week department. This would have significantly reduced access for patrons in every San Diego neighborhood.
Thanks to the persistent voices of public library advocates, a critical budget adjustment was secured that restored Monday hours at 17 Library locations. This partial restoration is a testament to the power of collective advocacy, and it demonstrates what we can achieve when the community rallies behind its libraries.
I recognize that this change comes with challenges. There are significant transitions for both Library staff and the patrons they serve. I know these shifts will be felt across our communities, and we do not underestimate this impact.
Yet, in the face of these changes, we are reminded of the extraordinary resilience of the San Diego Public Library team that is led by Library Director Misty Jones. With professionalism, creativity, and a deep commitment to service, library staff are rising to meet these challenges head-on, ensuring that the San Diego Public Library continues to be a place of opportunity, discovery, and inspiration.
At the Library Foundation SD, we believe in this team and in their ability to turn a challenge into an opportunity. As operating hours shift, we will continue to support Library staff as they continue to create new programs, partnerships, and innovative offerings to serve their patrons. The San Diego Public Library has always been a space where adaptability and innovation thrive, and we are confident this period will be no exception.
It is important to emphasize that while the City’s Libraries may now be open fewer hours, its role in San Diego remains undiminished. A wide array of programs and services — ranging from youth academic preparedness to workforce development, technology access, and cultural enrichment — will continue to be offered across our branches, strengthening the fabric of our communities.
Ultimately, San Diegans deserve a full-time library department, one that reflects the needs of a world-class city. That is why the Library Foundation SD remains steadfast in our advocacy for a 37⁄7 system, in which all 37 Library branches are open seven days a week. Together with our partners and the community the Library serves, we will continue working to make this vision a reality.
