On Monday, the Santa Cruz City Council stepped in to rethink a proposed plan by the Santa Cruz Libraries’ Joint Powers Board to close the historic Garfield Park branch library on the Westside.

A local landmark, the Garfield Park branch was erected in 1915 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1992.

The possibility of closure has been met with resistance. Westside residents and community members denounce the shuddering of the beloved site due to county library budget shortfalls, which still maintains its original fireplace and painting from nearly a century ago.