$650,000 Annual Funding Gap for Library Safety Specialists
Summary
The library safety specialist program — credited with cutting incidents by over 40% — was funded with one-time federal ARPA money that's running out. Sustaining it costs about $650,000 a year, and board members are pushing to get it into the base of next year's budget rather than scramble at year's end.
At a glance
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Last discussed Apr 1, 2026.
Impact analysis
About $650,000 per year is needed to keep the safety specialist positions on the payroll once ARPA funds end.
Everyone who visits or works in a Saint Paul library — incidents are down over 40% since the program launched.
If the gap isn't filled, the director says she cannot run the libraries safely without these positions.
Mentions & discussions (1)
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