Armed Guards Create Controversy at Arizona Library

Decision to arm library guards in Gilbert sparks debate. (Arizona Republic, 8/7/2011)

Excerpt:   The controversy began after the Maricopa County Library District, which operates Gilbert's two libraries, reinstated security guards last month at the Southeast Regional Library.  [Where there had been armed guards for 13 years, without controversy, the article later notes.]

The decision to reinstate and arm the security guards followed complaints by staffers who were confronting rising incidents of theft and increasingly hostile encounters with irate patrons over late fees and other issues.

The guards had been removed in July 2010 after the Town Council reduced funding.

Town officials contend that the library district never told them of the plans to arm the guards once funding was restored and are now exploring the feasibility of leaving the district and running Southeast Regional and Perry Branch libraries on their own.

Perry is on the Perry High School campus, which is part of Chandler Unified School District.

Maricopa County arms guards at its larger libraries - including Southeast Regional, North Valley Regional in Anthem, Northwest Regional in Surprise - as well as White Tank Branch in Waddell, a small library in a remote location.

"In large buildings with multiple rooms and lots of people, you need to have some feeling among the staff, as well as the public, that it's a secure place, particularly where it's used a lot by children," said library-district director Harry Courtright, who retired Friday.

Maricopa County arms guards at its larger libraries - including Southeast Regional, North Valley Regional in Anthem, Northwest Regional in Surprise - as well as White Tank Branch in Waddell, a small library in a remote location..