Fallout from Philadelphia Attack: More Security

摘要

After a horrific attack earlier this year on a young girl in the restroom of the Independence Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia (see News, LJ 3/15/04, p. 20), the library formed a task force to discuss security issues. Even as that group has been meeting, library staff and union leaders have vocally criticized administrators for being too slow to crack down on problem patrons. City Paper, an alternative weekly, wrote about the issues in April, and 68 staff members signed a follow-up letter saying they were skeptical of the administration's promises. Still, the library has taken steps to respond. After the attack, security procedures at all facilities were reviewed, and restroom keys were placed in drawers rather than left on desktops.