MV Public Library Reopens

Early this month the Moreno Valley Public Library reopened under new management and with expanded hours. Barbara Mendoza is the Director of Corporate Communications with Maryland-based Library Systems & Services LLC (LSSI), the company which this month began operating the library in what Mendoza called a “public–private relationship” between LSSI and the City of Moreno Valley. In June the Moreno Valley City Council unanimously approved an agreement with LSSI to expand services to library patrons. “LSSI only operates the library while the city enforces its policies and continues to make the decisions,” said Mendoza. “They are very much still involved in running the library. We just handle the day-to-day operations.” The library reopened officially to the public on Sept. 9 after it was closed for a week during the transition. The library has also expanded its teen center with added computers, expanded the children’s area and has also expanded its collection of adult, young adult and children’s literature, Mendoza said. LSSI also provides some guidance on what materials they believe the library should provide, which is then approved by the City Council then carried out under the City’s allocated budget, Mendoza noted. LSSI provided a slew of books and DVDs for the reopening, and Mendoza shared, “The council allotted a substantial annual expenditure which amounts to about a 200 percent increase for the acquisition of new materials each year.” New materials include books, DVDs, subscriptions and electronic database resources. Seventeen of the former 23 employees were rehired at the library, Mendoza noted. LSSI hired librarians, a circulation supervisor, library assistants, pages (who shelve the books), a community outreach coordinator and an administrative assistant, all working either part-time or full-time positions. “Any employee who works over 20 hours also receives benefits, including a 401(k)” Mendoza said. She said she was not authorized to comment on employee salary rates. Under LSSI’s management, the library is now open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday for a “25 percent overall service increase,” Mendoza said. The library is located at 25480 Alessandro Blvd.