Library asks county to shift hours, weigh security cameras after unsupervised hallway incidents

Library staff asked Daniels County commissioners to adjust hours and to consider new security measures after supervisors observed children unsupervised in the building hallway.

The librarian told the board she wanted to move library hours to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday so children’s programs that previously ran after school would have sufficient time. "It used to run from 3:30 till 5:00," she said, adding that school changes meant the program now had only about an hour; moving hours would "allow room for there" and let patrons stop in after work.

On safety, the librarian presented an estimate from Nemont for a multi‑camera system — two cameras in the hallway, one at the front door and two covering the alley — and said the proposal was mainly to "keep an eye on what goes on in our hallway and then between the two buildings." The estimate discussed in the meeting was described in the conversation as "almost 3,000" for the proposed five‑camera package. Commissioners and board members discussed options, including lower‑cost trail cameras and motion‑activated systems, and emphasized privacy limits: "you can't put it in the bathroom so no it's in the hallway down there," one participant said.

County members suggested asking the city for help on signage and parking near the library, after staff reported people leaving cars in front of the building all day for ride‑share purposes. One commissioner recommended testing whether turning the public router off temporarily would eliminate a recurring misuse of the library’s Wi‑Fi.

The board said it would leave the final procurement decision to the library board and asked staff to explore options for a less expensive camera solution and possible city cost share. Library staff said they would follow up with pictures of the proposed system and seek permission before proceeding.