The City of San Antonio’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget would eliminate 39 positions across 17 library locations, a reduction officials say reflects residents’ increasing use of digital materials.
The proposal would cut 27 library aide positions and 12 circulation attendant positions, saving the city approximately $946,000 annually.
Those positions primarily support physical circulation duties, including checking materials in and out, sorting items and returning books and other resources to shelves.
In a statement, the San Antonio Public Library said the handling of physical materials has declined 40% since fiscal 2019, while digital circulation has increased 161% during the same period.
The city plans to offer other positions within the municipal organization to affected employees. Officials said an ongoing hiring freeze has allowed the city to preserve vacancies that could help accommodate those workers.
Library officials said the proposed changes would not affect services available to residents. All 30 library locations would remain open, operating hours would remain unchanged and no programming reductions are proposed.
The library system’s 150 professional librarian positions also would be maintained.
Because the positions proposed for elimination are tied to a declining physical circulation workload, library officials said they expect remaining employees to maintain current service levels.
The reductions are part of City Manager Erik Walsh’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, which must be approved by the San Antonio City Council before taking effect.
Residents can comment on the proposal at upcoming city budget town halls. Meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 24 at Las Palmas Branch Library and the Northeast Senior Center. Another will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at Central Library.
The city will also hold public hearings on the proposed budget and property tax rate at City Council Chambers at 5 p.m. Sept. 2 and 9 a.m. Sept. 10. Additional information is available at SA.gov/Budget.