[Publib] hard hearts and physical danger

[Miriam Bobkoff]

I have been too swamped to keep up with publib lately, and missed Mr. Ward's 
post. Thanks to Joe for pointing out what seems to be the central and 
terrible fact: people--colleagues-- died in that library system. 

I know of a library system where a well-known local crazy became obsessed 
with a librarian on the staff, sat where he could stare at her, and told 
people he was thinking about killing her. He disappeared; but do you think 
she will ever get over the need for security, for adequate staffing and 
backup, and the need to feel that the workplace respects her and intends to 
do what's reasonable to protect her? I don't think so. 
 
My sympathies to Mr. Ward, and in fact also to his management. I can't 
imagine how they can work with or around or through what happened.

Miriam Bobkoff
Santa Fe Public Library