PCPL discusses library security

The Putnam County Public Library Board discussed the need for better library security at its meeting on Wednesday.

Director Grier Carson reported that in the last year there has been an increase in "unwanted patron behavior" (raised voices, "belligerent" demeanor).

Having spoken with Greencastle Police Department officials, Director Carson suggested that installing IP cameras could be a non-invasive way to encourage a safe environment for all patrons.

"We talked a few times over the past six months or so about some incidents we've had at the library," Director Carson said. "Most of these cases are people who raise their voices when they shouldn't or don't like being told they can't do something on a computer. I wouldn't say that we're dealing with threatening patrons every week, but I would definitely say that we're dealing with belligerent patrons every week.

"And, as you know," Carson added, "we've had a handful of cases where people have been banned, in some cases indefinitely. And we occasionally call the police. It's usually not for a serious emergency, but, you know, we have some people who won't leave."

If installed, the cameras would require a formal policy, new signage and cost the library $400 to $600 per camera, but the board agreed to discuss the matter further before making a decision.

"We don't have a security guard here because we frankly don't need a security guard," Director Carson said. "We don't have RFID because we don't need RFID gates at our doors. But I think small IP cameras in an age when people are increasingly nervous about how other people behave in public spaces might be something we want to think about."

Secretary Amy Weliever commented that, although vandalism is not currently an issue, IP cameras might deter any potential for it when the new digital signage monitor goes up in the lobby.

Director Carson attributed the increase in problems with the overall increase in patron attendance at the library.

"I will admit that the more you do gaming on-site and movie nights, bike circulation, and the things that we're very proud of ... you're going to attract more people to the library. You're going to get more people who misbehave."

In other developments:

-- An outside entity has said it will nominate the library for the Library Journal's 2015 Library of the Year Award. The award decision is expected in June or July.

-- Board President Nancy Zennie presented the board with her resignation, saying that her last meeting will be in April. She and her husband are moving to Wyoming. Children's Outreach Librarian Lesley Stimpert has also resigned and will be leaving the library in June.

-- Youth Services Manager Krista Mullinnex reported on her department's progress, saying that "We have a really great early literacy collection," but that the non-fiction is outdated, the level readers are not standardized and the book series circulation has decreased "drastically."

She attributed the decrease to the series' location, which is far from the general collection. She also said that while Mario Kart gaming events have been successful, she is struggling with teen turnout at events. She said a solution would be to hire a librarian just for teens.

"It is an expertise we are lacking in the department."

Director Carson also suggested that it may have to do with marketing.

"We're not getting out to the right people at the right time," he said.

In other business:

-- Total circulation has remained steady from last month's report, and young adult and juvenile circulation decreased much less than in previous months. "Since those collections have suffered over the last year or so I'm very glad to see that," Carson said. The video game circulation increased "significantly." Director Carson also reported that the teacher card program, which provides book delivery and nearly unlimited check out to teachers and homeschoolers, is projected to do better this year. The program is particularly popular with home-schoolers.

"Overall this is a pretty strong month in terms of library stats," Director Carson said.

-- The March 4 First Friday event, which featured Irish food and culture, was so successful that the Kiwanis Conference Room could not contain the number of attendees.

"I heard a bunch of people talking about the First Friday event," President Zennie said. "I know some people who actually left because they said that it was too crowded."

The board discussed where it could move such an event in the future to accommodate patrons.

-- The fiction integration project went off without a hitch, and the fiction collection is now fully integrated with the rest of the library.

-- The new circulation lobby mural is expected to be installed April 22-24.

-- Members Alan Zerkel and Lisa McCoy were absent.

-- Library staff members are expected to present on an adult reading program at the next meeting.

The next library board meeting will be April 20 at 6 p.m. in the Kiwanis Conference Room.