If your conception of a library board meeting is one of a group of bookworms conducting the session in an orderly manner, that would not describe the end of the Hamilton East Library Board meeting held at the Fishers Library Thursday afternoon.  One attendee, who had just spoken during the public comment period, was ordered removed from the meeting room by Board President Laura Alerding for what she described as disruptions.

The man Alerding ordered removed refused police requests to leave the room and was taken away by officers.  As the man was being taken away, the audience began to grow loud in protest.  Alerding spoke with legal counsel, then ordered the meeting adjourned before public comments were completed.  The public comments were the final item on the agenda.

Before all this happened, there was another pointed discussion between board member Ray Maddalone and Library Director Edra Waterman.  Maddalone complained about the pace of reviewing books to determine whether they belong in the teen or adult collection.  Maddalone said the 3% progress is not fast enough.  Waterman responded that the library staff and extra reviewers hired for this project are doing this project as quickly as possible and she is constantly looking for ways to speed the process.

Maddalone suggested library staff members be offered $5 each to review books when not busy, and Waterman asserted her staff does not have that kind of down time to do this.

There was also a discussion of the Human Library event held July 15 that drew a large crowd, with book authors verbally talking with local people to exchange ideas, exposing people to situations unlike their own.

Board member Micah Beckwith, joining the meeting virtually, wanted to know if the Human Library was promoting prostitution.  Waterman assured him it was not.  Board Vice President Michelle Payne said the human Library does feature authors that have experienced being sex workers against their will, but in no way promoted prostitution.

Payne then asked why the board meetings were moved from 6:15pm to 3:15pm.  Alerding said one board member had a conflict, and indicated there would be a lower chance of disruptions at a 3:15pm meeting.

Earlier in the meeting, Mike Reuter reviewed the income projections for Hamilton East Library System (with libraries in Fishers and Noblesville).  He says the 2024 budget outlook is good, but if the General Assembly keeps the rules as they are, there could be lower income in the following two years.  But he added the Hamilton East Library is in a strong cash position to weather that possible storm.

Several members of the meeting audience brandished signs in support of Library Director Edra Waterman.  This is in response to rumors Ms. Waterman’s job could be in jeopardy.  There was no discussion about that during the Thursday meeting.

(NOTE: as of 8:30am Friday I am turning off comments for this post)