EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire is looking to hire a full-time security monitor. The decision comes after library staff have reported over 600 incidents with patrons so far this year. The incidents range from eating and sleeping in the library to threatening staff.

It’s estimated a full-time security monitor would cost around $70-thousand. Programming and Communication Services Manager, Isa Small, says, “Our library director and some of our board members have been advocating for additional funding to cover that. You know, this will happen with that additional funding or not.”

The library plans to start recruiting in November and have a full-time monitor at the beginning of 2024.