1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

Dear Mayor Gloria, I am writing to express my concern with your recently revised budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026, particularly regarding its impact on San Diego’s public libraries. As outlined in the San Diego Public Library Foundation’s response to your plan, the proposed cuts would lead to reduced hours at neighborhood libraries—some as soon as July 1, 2025. Libraries are not optional services. They are vital community hubs that provide safe spaces for students, resources for job seekers, technology access for underserved populations, and lifelong learning opportunities for residents of all ages. Cutting their availability undermines equity and disproportionately harms those who rely on these services the most. With all of San Diego’s pressing challenges, I find it hard to believe that there was no better way to manage the city’s budget than to reduce access to one of our most important public institutions. Surely there must be alternative cost-saving measures or revenue strategies that could have been prioritized over harming the library system and the many residents who depend on it. I urge you to reconsider this approach and work with the City Council, community leaders, and organizations like the Library Foundation to find solutions that protect essential services. A city’s budget reflects its values, and I hope San Diego will choose to value education, equity, and opportunity for all. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.