Elizabeth Goldman Burbank Library Services Director courtesy City of Burbank
Burbank Library Services Director Elizabeth Goldman is stepping down. The city announced Goldman’s resignation in a press release last Thursday, June 6. Goldman’s departure comes at a time of major concerns and complaints about the security at the city’s three library branches.
In the press release Goldman is given credit for being instrumental in modernizing the city’s library system, improving online services, as well as bringing on board the Job Connect Plus program, the Spark! Digital Media Lab, the expansion of the Sister City program, and increasing social services. Also, she got praise for getting 10 million dollars in grant funding from the state for the proposed new Burbank Central Library and Civic Center project.
“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Ms. Goldman for her dedication and innovative ideas she infused into our library system,” said City Manager Justin Hess in the release. As for a replacement, Hess says the plan is to appoint ” a Director who will continue to build upon the library’s many successes.”
Security Issues and Complaints
Burbank Public Library Northwest Branch Media City Groove May 26, 2024
However, a top priority should be to find an executive with the skill set to deal with the security issues and many complaints from staff. There have been more than 200 incidents at the library branches since July 2023, according to a recent in depth report by the Burbank Leader. In the article, several staff members reported “an unhealthy working environment rift with hostile and unsettling clashes with patrons, periodic bedbug sightings and what they say is a lack of support from supervising library administrators.”
Goldman’s resignation is effective July 5, 2024.
