As part of the preliminary, draft budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 that was released on April 15, the City of San Diego has taken steps to limit impacts to San Diego Public Library hours and programs at all 37 branch library locations. 

Due to the projected $258 million deficit in the next fiscal year, the draft FY26 budget includes cuts to service levels but maintains access to the most critical City programs and services that residents rely on. 

The draft budget keeps all libraries open five days per week, with closures proposed on Sundays and Mondays. Only 14 of the 37 City libraries are currently open on Sundays. 

Importantly, the draft budget avoids permanently closing any library facilities. By maintaining core service hours, the proposal maintains library services in every community of San Diego. The draft budget calls for moving programs that are currently held on Sundays and Mondays to other days of the week. 

“We know that residents of all ages in every neighborhood rely on the services that our libraries provide, from toddler storytimes to Wi-Fi access and computer literacy programs,” said Misty Jones, Library Director. “By evaluating patron usage and programming data, and ensuring that we have staff available to keep libraries open, we have proposed a plan that we hope will limit the impacts to our hours and services.” 

The draft budget protects several programs focused on literacy, workforce development, early learning, business centers and accessibility. That includes the popular Do Your Homework at the Library Program, which was initially slated for elimination but will continue operations at 10 locations. This program provides free in-person homework centers and learning support for students after school. In FY24, the program helped more than 20,000 students. 

City departments will present their proposals to the City Council’s Budget Review Committee the week of May 5-9. The Library Department budget presentation and discussion are scheduled for Tuesday, May 6. To learn more, visit the City’s Fiscal Year 2026 Draft Budget webpage.