Dear Editor;
I always hate when I get a call from one of our departments asking “Have you seen the headlines in the local newspaper?”. Such was the case this past Wednesday when the headline reads Library and Vandalism. What could have been titled, “Library Director Takes Proactive Measures to Prevent Vandalism”, instead focused on all of the “Challenges” that any public facility faces. We feel the whole story over exaggerates the negative. Our staff at the library and myself do not feel we have been plagued with vandalism, theft and graffiti, at the old facility nor the new facility. All of those things have happened, but not to the extent that the story portrays.
The story indicates that we were plagued with these things at the old facility and it has followed us to the new facility. I have been with the City for 7 years and I do not remember any graffiti at the old facility. We have had three instances of graffiti at the new facility in a four-year span. I remember one theft at the old facility where a young person laid down their phone and someone picked it up and took it. I have not heard about any theft at the new facility. We have had one window broken and someone hit the outside trash bin with their car. We don’t think it was intentional. What was termed as unruly behavior at the old facility was where parents sent their children to the library unattended and they had to be told to settle down or leave. At the old facility we did have a few transients that would visit the library. The library is a public facility that services ALL members of our community and all are welcomed. As with all public facilities there are rules and guidelines that are to be met and the library is no exception. There have been few incidents at the new location but the staff are not highly concerned about unruly behavior. In summary, our staff feel the recent story was very misleading and shed a negative light on the library.
This whole story came about because our director was purchasing security cameras and was so proud that we were being proactive. How disappointing it was for her to see the negative perspective the newspaper took. There have been many positives at the library and throughout the community, yet none have been recognized or highlighted. We would like to challenge the Cibola Citizen to start seeing the glass halffull rather than so often taking a negative perspective. With so much uncertainty going on in the world today it would be wonderful to read some good news about our community. I am sure they would say, “but that is what sells papers”. I for one am tired of the all the negative. Maybe it is about time that we as a society look for ways to lift each other up. Let’s start focusing on the positive in our world. It is out there for all who are open to seeing it.
We realize and recognize as with any public facility there can be issues or incidents which Is why we are taking a proactive approach to the matter. We would like to encourage everyone to come to our library and take advantage of the many wonderful resources we offer and ensure you feel safe and comfortable doing so.
Laura Jaramillo
City Manager