Tell Council: Save Tigard Public Library Staff

• make the Library a less safe and welcoming space for everyone;
• increase the workload for remaining staff, reducing their ability to provide core library services and programs; and
• increase the Library's reliance on our already overworked first responders, reducing their ability to respond to critical incidents elsewhere.

Public libraries are already serving people experiencing crisis, instability, isolation, mental health challenges, housing insecurity, and difficulty navigating services. The question is not whether those patrons exist in the library... the question is whether library staff have appropriate support." -Library Board Vice Chair

• makes more than 125 resource referrals each month;
• provides preventive services that save taxpayer dollars by keeping community members from entering the formal, costly system;
• manages the donation-funded Community Basic Needs Library; and
• extensively supports other Library staff in navigating complex situations through training and trauma-informed care.

I cannot in good conscience support a budget that will have an essentially $500,000 surplus and not save the [Library] Social Services position... we've had significant outpouring from the public to consider saving this position, and we're not going to do it? That bothers me." -Councilor Robbins, May 18