The city is mobilizing to remedy a number of safety concerns at the Burbank public libraries after library staff spoke out in a May 25 Burbank Leader report and at City Council meetings, pleading with city administrators for on-site security, functioning cameras and responsive leadership.
Library staff report an unhealthy working environment rife with hostile and unsettling clashes with patrons, inadequate security measures and what they say is a lack of support from supervising library administrators, according to interviews with 10 Burbank Public Library staff members, statements made at public meetings and library incident reports. Some employees reported having experienced violence and death threats, and most said they have been the target of hate speech, sexual harassment and verbal abuse while on the job.
On Tuesday, Assistant City Manager Courtney Padgett informed the City Council on action the city has taken in response to the reports.
“We want to assure our council, as well as our library staff … that we are listening to their concerns, we are evaluating all the concerns, and we are going to take them seriously and do everything we can to improve the conditions at library facilities,” Padgett said at the meeting.
According to Padgett, the city manager’s office has conducted an assessment of security cameras at all three of the library branches.
One library monitor, Glen Dunzweiler, told the Leader there has been some activity from the city in installing new cameras, but at least one of the branches is still without a camera system.
According to Padgett, the city’s information department has identified cameras that are not working and that can be repaired, while others need to be completely replaced at the three library branches.
“So, they are currently in the process of getting those cameras repaired and procuring new cameras to replace all of those that are not functioning,” she said.
In July, contracts for two library monitors — staff members who are charged with rule enforcement and de-escalation — will expire, leaving one monitor for the three branches. The city is set to hire two temporary monitors by late July or early August, according to Dunzweiler.
Earlier this month, Burbank Library Director Elizabeth Goldman resigned from her position as the head administrator. Her last day is July 5.
Burbank City Manager Justin Hess selected Melissa Potter as the interim library services director of the Burbank Public Library; she will temporarily replace Goldman.
In her current role as the assistant library services director, Potter manages much of the day-to-day operations and management of the library’s three branches.
“Melissa Potter brings invaluable knowledge and expertise to this role,” Hess said. “Her familiarity will ensure a seamless transition for both library staff and patrons as we search for a permanent director.”
She began her career with the Burbank Public Library in July 2014. She notably helped establish programs such as Burbank in Focus, the city’s digital library of historical Burbank. Potter brings 26 years of experience to the role, having previously worked at the San Diego County Library and the Los Angeles Public Library. She has held various positions during her career, including teen librarian and her current role in Burbank as assistant library services director.
The city will partner with executive recruiter Peckham and McKenney to conduct a comprehensive search for the next permanent director.
“People have been holding their breath to figure out what’s going to happen with finding a new library director,” said Dunzweiler, noting that there is wariness about Potter taking on so many additional responsibilities. “In general, people still feel unheard and unsupported.”
