Billie Jean King Main Library will reopen to visitors on Thursday

Long Beach, California – According to an announcement made by authorities from the library on Tuesday, after being closed earlier this month due to safety concerns, the city will reopen the Billie Jean King Main Library in Downtown to visitors later this week with restricted hours.

The library, which is located at the intersection of Broadway and Pacific Avenue, has only been open for to-go services since the 23rd of September due to the staff’s security concerns. More specifically, these concerns stem from a recent increase in volatile incidents involving people who struggle with mental health issues, as stated by library officials.

The director of Library Services, Cathy De Leon, said that the library had to close because the safety of its customers and staff was more important than serving the public.

While the library was closed, officials from Library Services evaluated the current staffing needs and participated in specialized training to learn how to more effectively manage incidents of this nature. At the same time, officials from the city worked on a new facility security plan, according to library officials.

According to statements made by authorities from the library, a new temporary security strategy will be implemented at the main library over the next few weeks while the long-term plan is being prepared.

From Thursday through November 1 (Tuesday), the Main Library will follow a special schedule that limits its hours of operation.

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesdays, noon to 4 p.m.

Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Officials at the library have said that regular operating hours will resume on Wednesday, November 2nd.