The quest to turn McFarland’s only community library into a police station may be terrible PR, but city officials say it’s critical to public safety. They’re now pushing Kern County to reconsider its previous decision to protect and expand operations at the library.
“There is no explanation that anyone can give me that providing library service is more important than providing basic public safety service to the community,” said Kenny Williams, who serves as both the top administrator and police chief for the city.
County Supervisor David Couch, who represents McFarland, has also questioned the necessity of expanding library hours.
“The core services of the library are too numerous. In my view, they’re too numerous,” Couch said.
County Administrative Officer Ryan Alsop agrees that McFarland needs new police headquarters. But the city’s proposal to convert its only public library for youth should be a very last resort, Alsop said.
Kern County already has the worst-funded library system in California.