Library Board of Directors Sets Special Meeting to Address the Kids on the Porch

Interim Library Director Carol Lloyd provided the Library Board of Directors with a monthly report at the last regular board meeting and asked that a special meeting be called to address security issues caused by students from the middle school who have been exhibiting behavior problems both in the library and on the porch of the library after school. Lloyd will present a stable, sustainable plan that will provide permanent solutions and support staff, and address the public's security and safety at the special meeting on Oct 4 at 8 a.m. 

“One of the things not on this agenda are security issues at the library. They are ongoing, and we are in the process of again working on a solution with the county and various other organizations,” said Lloyd. “And to that end, I would like a special meeting to discuss that, go over some policy changes, and get that lined out and stable.” 

During the regular meeting, Library Board Chair Jessica Rowe said, “While we have received a great deal of support from the county and our partners, I think there is a call for us at the library to put in some thinking and a solution for this. Especially since we have new employees coming on and we’ve got people who need to come in, and they should not be tasked with solving this problem if we have the ability to advise at this time.”  

Dr. Sue Segura, who also sits on the Board of Trustees, said she would like Lloyd to look at other districts. “I’ve called a couple, students are not allowed if they are like, 7 to 14 years old, to enter the library without an adult. I can tell you that what I see going on at our high school on a Friday night they’re very disruptive. A lot of districts around our state have policy around if you don’t come in through that gate with an adult, you may not come in.” 

“I don’t want to get too deep in the weeds,” Lloyd said, “except I want to tell you, libraries are not high schools. It’s a whole different ball of wax, and that’s why we need a special meeting, and I’ll bring you a plan and we’ll talk about it on that date.” 

“You also need to know,” Segura said, “the same students you’re dealing with, middle school kids, has been a real problem.”  

“We’re all on the same page that a sustainable solution that we offer a safe access to the public is something we really ought to be thinking about,” Rowe said. 

During her report, Lloyd asked that the board address the possibility of returning to full operation now that the library is fully staffed at their next regular meeting on October 24. 

Lloyd reported that Tom Patterson is the new Digital Services Librarian, and Kathy Thorsen was offered the position of Library Director and will begin work on Oct 14. Lloyd will work with her on Oct 14, 15, 21, and 22, and on Oct 23, Lloyd’s last day as interim director.