The River Forest Public Library has increased security amid ongoing threats and safety concerns.
Library staff said they no longer feel that it is safe to remain open without additional security after threats and harassment targeted toward Director Emily Compton-Dzak and local police escalated. Threatening letters also have been sent to the River Forest Tennis Club and other River Forest residents. The nature of the threats were not immediately available.
A private security was hired by the library and took post on Wednesday. Library Director Emily Compton-Dzak said that a guard is positioned inside the library during its operating hours to ensure staff and patron safety while the alleged perpetrator is facing the court system.
“The threats are being processed through the court system, and we’re hoping that there will be some consequences,” Compton-Dzak said.
A statement issued on the library website said that the threats are believed to be made by a person who was banned from the library in April for violating policy. Recent content in the letters and online threats naming staff members and making general threats to the library increased safety concerns.
“The Library no longer feels that it is safe to remain open without additional security and has hired a private security firm to be onsite during all operating hours until the situation is resolved, officials said in the statement. “We feel that the added security will ensure the safety of our patrons and staff.”
In response to the security concerns earlier in the week, the library amended their operating hours on Monday and Tuesday, remaining closed for much of the day. The River Forest Police Department provided security from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday. Typically, the library is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on those days.
Compton-Dzak applauded the bravery of library staff members amid ongoing security threats. Library staff have been offered paid mental health days and a counselor will be available to staff members to talk about what is going on.
“It’s hard to think of what to do these situations,” Compton-Dzak said. “But just a lot of communication and trying to get people whatever resources we can get for them.”
She said that patrons have been very supportive and encouraging towards the library this week, even as threats were made towards River Forest residents.
“In this last week, he was leaving letters around at residences, so I think that was very upsetting for people,” Compton-Dzak said. “They were disturbed to read that, but the response to that, in terms of the library, was still very supportive. People were very helpful reporting it to the police and then just letting us know that they did and that they kind of wish us the best and hope this goes away.”
The library anticipates the additional security to be on the premises until the concerns are resolved.
Correction, July 12, 10:10 a.m. This article has been updated to reflect that the security guard was stationed inside the building, not outside of it, and was stationed there on Monday. The library’s hours also were corrected to show it typically closes at 9 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, an error caused by incorrect information published on Google. We apologize for the errors.