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La Verne library describes Dec. 13 break‑in; board pursues alarm installation
Summary
Board members and staff described a Dec. 13 break‑in that broke a glass door, scattered glass through the building and forced cancellation of a Santa event; staff reported the suspect was taken into custody and the board received a roughly $5,000 quote for an alarm system.
At its Jan. 13 meeting, the La Verne Library Board heard a detailed account of a Dec. 13 break‑in that damaged a back door and forced the library to cancel a planned Santa appearance.
Library staff described the incident and the board discussed security improvements. Donna, a library staff member, said the break‑in began late on Dec. 13 and that the “most damage that was done was to the back door,” where “a very large stone was thrown through the door” and the glass spread throughout the building.
Lehi, a library board member who reviewed footage pulled by Glenn, described the intruder’s movement inside the building: he “walked around the library,” broke the door, returned later in the night, “opened every drawer at every circulation desk,” attempted to access locked back offices without breaking in and eventually exited through the front doors. Lehi said the intruder then went to a nearby 7‑Eleven and attempted to steal candy bars. Donna told the board the suspect ultimately turned himself in and was in custody after the community and La Verne Police Department shared information about the incident.
Staff told the board the library had to cancel its scheduled Santa visit the following Saturday because of broken glass throughout the facility; the program was rescheduled. Library staff reported that damage to shelving and tiles was limited and that money and sensitive materials had been kept in locked back offices, which prevented theft of cash.
The board discussed a security quote received for a burglar alarm system. Donna said the initial quote for installing a burglar alarm was about $5,000 and that the installation cost “came in a lot cheaper than we expected.” The library will move forward with the alarm once the necessary approvals and contracts are completed. Staff also noted Turner Security, which already monitors the library’s fire alarm, provided the estimate and offered a monthly monitoring option described at the meeting as modest.
Board members thanked staff for their work responding to the incident and for preserving collections. Glenn, the newly elected board chair, and other members said they were grateful the incident did not cause more extensive damage.
The board did not take a formal vote on purchasing the alarm system at the meeting; staff said final approvals and scheduling will follow once procurement details are complete.
