Evanston's Williams Resigns

摘要

Following two disciplinary hearings, a suspension, an FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request, and years of conflict with the library director and board, Lesley Williams, former head of adult services at the Evanston Public Library (EPL), IL, announced her resignation on June 29. Williams, who worked at EPL for more than 20 years, has been an outspoken advocate for a more equitable distribution of library resources and services. None of EPL's three branches are located in lower-income areas, although a proposed new branch would be closer to a predominantly African American neighborhood. She has been vocal about the library employing the smallest percentage of minority workers of any city department; the population of Evanston is about 20 percent African American, with a rapidly growing number of Hispanic residents.