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Library staff asks Daniels County to adjust hours, board hears camera estimate
Summary
Library staff proposed moving weekday hours to 10 a.m.–6 p.m. to restore children’s program time and presented a Nemont security‑camera estimate (~$3,000 for five cameras); board discussed lower-cost trail cameras and possible city cost-sharing.
Library staff told the board on Sept. 16 they want to shift weekday hours to 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Monday–Friday so children’s programming would again have a full block after school schedule changes reduced available time.
"It used to run from 3:30 till 5:00 ... then school moved to 4:00 so only gave us an hour," a library representative said, explaining the requested change would create enough time for programs while staff noted only one patron typically uses the library between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m.
Staff also presented an estimate from Nemont for five security cameras (two in the hallway, one at the front and two covering the alley) that the library said would cost nearly $3,000. Commissioners and staff discussed trail‑camera alternatives that record to SD cards as a lower‑cost option but noted trail cameras only provide after‑the‑fact footage, while a security system can be accessed in real time and is motion activated.
Board members and staff discussed privacy limits; the library emphasized cameras would not be placed inside bathrooms and were intended to monitor hallways and exterior approaches to protect children and property. Staff said the city might pick up part of the expense because cameras could also support the fire department.
Parking and public Wi‑Fi were also discussed: staff described nonpatrons leaving cars in front of the building all day and a recurring outdoor user of the library’s Wi‑Fi; the board recommended consulting the city about signage or parking controls.
What happens next: library staff will confer with the board about cost‑sharing options, return with any vendor details, and notify the commission if a formal funding request is needed.
