As El Paso businesses reopen, avid readers wonder when libraries will open back up

EL PASO, Texas - The libraries of El Paso have a long road ahead of themselves.

On Tuesday, the city put out a statement saying:

"To ensure the health and safety of the public and our workforce and given the budget and staffing shortfalls caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, all City libraries, museums, recreation centers, senior centers, aquatics and sports facilities will remain closed through the summer. These facilities will remain closed for use by the public until further notice."

The city's decision has frustrated some, including the Friends of the Westside Branch of the El Paso Public Library.

“There is a portion of our citizens that is almost 30% that do not have access to the internet or to computers in their homes. We are talking students and people here who depend on the libraries for that type of access," said board member Gretchen Trominski.

The closure has also forced dozens of librarians to the sidelines.

“We had just hired three people, women who had masters degrees in this and they were going to head up some of our libraries," said Trominski. "But they all got fired because they were still on probation.”

For Trominski and her fellow library advocates, it is frustrating to see those facilities closed up, especially as other industries like dining and gyms begin opening their doors again.

Meanwhile on the campus of UTEP, officials are saying that the University Library has opened up some sections, but only to students.

There is currently no concrete timeline as to when the University Library will re-open to the public.