by: Fuyu Banno, Hayley Strahs, and Gowri Sunil

Graphics Editor, Editor-in-Chief, News Editor

Since its reopening in 2012, the gorgeously renovated Los Gatos Library has attracted community members of all ages to browse, work, and socialize amidst its stacks. With 77,000 books, 8,000 movies, and unlimited access to extensive e-book collections, the LG Library has a title for all audiences. Beyond its literary treasure trove, the library’s facilities are state-of-the-art and provide a cozy yet spacious study spot for students at LGHS and other surrounding schools. However, to maintain its environment and resources, the LG Library relies on citizens for service feedback. LGHS students should utilize the library’s numerous teen offerings and lobby local politicians to fight recent budget cuts.

The LG Library is home to more than just books. For students, the Teen Room offers a place to chat, collaborate, and create art projects. Junior Sam Ematrudo goes to the library nearly every day after school and explained, “It has a really good energy and vibe. It can be calm, it can be loud, but it’s just a nice place [overall].” During her frequent visits, Ematrudo often participates in the free Teen Room activities: “They’ve had painting and drawing. They had bracelet-making, which I really liked.” In addition to its teen workshops, the library offers events for young children and the elderly, for which high school students can volunteer. New events constantly pop up on the library’s online calendar, such as tech help for the elderly, English Second Language (ESL) conversation groups, and animal meet-and-greets. More than just a hangout space, the LG Library is a hub for creativity and community building.

Many students are unaware of the technology the library provides to Los Gatans. Through a form on their website, patrons can utilize the library’s in-house 3D printer to produce objects from Thingiverse, a vast database of 3D design files. The library also loans out sewing machines, portable WiFi routers, telescopes, instruments, and other specialized items. 

Yet the services that make the library so vital to the community require funding, which is currently facing challenges. The LG library is considered a stand-alone library, meaning it receives funding from the town and has a smaller budget than larger facilities. Although being a stand-alone library means closer community connections, it also brings about greater strains on the library itself and its staff as a result of recent funding cuts. According to the San Jose Spotlight, “The Los Gatos Town Council unanimously approved a fiscally sound budget for fiscal year 2025-26 June 3 after facing a $2 million budget deficit largely caused by expenses outpacing cash flow.” Due to this two-million-dollar deficiency, the council decided to cut around $900,000 in funding, which included $104,350 to the library services. So far, the effects of this have been immediate and apparent to those who work there. LGHS senior Natalie Schubert, who shelves books at the library, pointed out, “[We] have had to cut a lot of the janitorial staff, and so now the librarians are having to take out the trash and vacuum and clean the carpets before [We] close.”

Budget cuts also directly affect the number of books available to library patrons. Librarian Amanda Flowers discussed the ways in which cutting these resources affects the library’s overall programming: “If we have less staff, that means less people are able to run a program. If we have less books, that means more legwork and making sure that we have the needed books on shelves sooner. So they all impact each other.” Even amid these difficult cuts, the library tries to accommodate the community to make the facility as comfortable and accessible as possible. Flowers explained, “We try to keep the things people care about at the top [of our priority], making sure we allocate enough funds for those.” Following the last budget cut, the library decided to eliminate two newspapers and streaming services. While insignificant to many library patrons, the service cut affected the minority that relies on those resources.

The LG library continues to spark creativity and bring the Los Gatos community together through its many offerings. From helpful programs to technological resources, the library daily provides a variety of tools, not just to students, but to individuals of all ages.  As much as the library helps students, students also need to help the library. By attending and using its teen-centered events and tools along with emailing the town’s mayor, town council members, and youth commission library leaders about budget-related concerns, LGHS students can show the town that the library deserves a larger share of funding. LGHS students should express their appreciation for this beloved institution, a vibrant center for lifelong learning.