Library users and Supporters:

Most of you may be aware that the City of El Cerrito is going through an “everything is on the table” budget review process. One of the things “on the table” is something near and dear to all of us – The extended hours, seven days per week operation of the El Cerrito Library. 

On Jan 21st, the City Manager provided a budget update to the City Council and outlined some upcoming opportunities for our community to participate in shaping the future of our City.

The City staff is expected to work on updating the City website to include our budget presentations, information from the Town Hall meeting for those that can’t be in attendance, as well as City Council presentations. Please keep checking the page el-cerrito.org/AnnualBudgetProcess for updated information.

Thank you.
Al Miller, President, El Cerrito Library Foundation

Last Saturday, on February 1, at the El Cerrito Town Hall’s well-attended meeting, the residents learned more about the city’s poor finances.* The next two meetings on February 12 and March 14 will be about the City’s Strategic Plan that reflect community’s priorities. To help the city staff make smart decisions on what services to cut to lower expenses, we must let them know what city services are very important to us today and in the next few years.

We are disappointed that we will have to wait longer for a new library, but we must let the city staff know TODAY that our current library and its newly restored full-time services are important for our community’s quality of life. Please plan to attend the open house, workshop and fill out the online survey to make your voice heard.

Strategic Plan Open House
February 12 at 6pm at City Hall

Strategic Plan Community Survey
https://www.opentownhall.com/portals/178/Issue_8199
Deadline is February 14, 2020

City Council Strategic Plan Workshop
March 14 at 9:30 to 2pm at City Hall

* Check The City of El Cerrito’s website for more information. Slides & notes from the town hall is expected to be posted to the site soon. 

The City of El Cerrito is facing serious financial problems. Because of these problems, the City has undertaken an “everything’s on the table” review of the city’s finances leading up to the 2020 – 22 budget that starts July 1.

This review will include a series of Town Hall Budget meetings to gain an understanding of what services and programs are most important to El Cerrito residents and what cuts will be made to balance the budget. The attachment below has information about the next Town Hall meeting which is on Saturday, February 1, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers, 10890 San Pablo Avenue.

The extended hours at our library, are at serious risk of being cut back to the bare minimum provided by the County. Our library needs your help.

Everyone who has  benefitted from the expanded seven-day- per-week service and the significant increase in variety and number of programs for all age groups made possible by the expanded hours of operation, needs to attend this Saturday’s meeting and let your opinion be known.

Thank you for your support of strong library services in El Cerrito.

El Cerrito Library Foundation