The Cost of Security Service at California's San Rafael Public Library

Just over 70% of voters supported Measure "C".

San Rafael library hires security guard to handle 'behavior issues'. (Marin News, 4/12/2014)

Why the hire? "Since the economic downturn, we've seen a big uptick in behavior issues at the library," Houghton said. "What we were finding was a lot of little interactions and problems were sucking up staff time." 

She said the guard makes it possible for employees to focus on their jobs, which include teaching classes and helping people do research, instead of people's behavior.

The cost:  $5,280 per month.   That's an annual cost of $63,360.  However, the security company has been hired for a 3-month trial period.

Not a decision made lightly.  The library recently cut hours of operation as a way to address an anticipated $500,000 budget shortfall  by the end of the 2016-17 fiscal year.