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Friends of the Library say new directives hinder fundraising; manager, police promise review
Summary
Volunteers with Friends of the Library told the commission their receipt book was taken and staff were told to stop collecting donations; the city manager said he would meet the group and the police confirmed an open investigation. The commission asked for a written briefing and repairs at library facilities.
Friends of the Library representatives urged the City Commission to intervene after they said internal directives curtailed the group's ability to raise money for summer programs.
"Our receipt book has been taken out of the library," said Irene Pillinger, speaking for Friends of the Library, adding that the group's summer program fees had been refunded to families after staff were told grant money covered the activities. Pillinger said the group has refunded most donations and that the Friends have suspended meetings until the issue is resolved.
Several other volunteers reiterated Pillinger's account. Susan Sandness, a former library director, said Friends groups statewide generally take direction from library staff, not city government, and pressed the commission to respect the library's professional standards.
"By the way, item 2026-98 on tonight's agenda ... would give money to Miami-Dade Schools for programs we already do," Sandness said, arguing the city should retain funding for local library programs.
City Manager Williams told the commission he was unaware of the specific directives until hearing testimony and pledged to meet with the Friends of the Library to review any instructions given by HR. "I will meet with the Friends of the Library," he said, and asked residents to provide the emails cited during public comment for his review.
The police chief said there is an active investigation "pertaining to the library" and that details could not be released pending its conclusion. "There is currently an open investigation," the chief said.
Commissioners asked the manager to provide a written briefing about who issues directives affecting the library and how donations and grant accounting will be handled going forward. The commission also discussed immediate facility repairs and staff oversight, and the manager said some repairs are already funded and underway. The commission requested a follow-up report summarizing findings and next steps.
Provenance: The Friends' remarks began during public comment (Irene Pillinger and other speakers) and the manager's and police chief's responses are recorded during the manager's report and follow-up Q&A (transcript segment range SEG 531 to SEG 879).
