Jackson County Library Services (JCLS) takes the safety of library users, especially children, extremely seriously and we regret the initial handling of the incidents reported on December 20, 2026 in the RV Times. Since the incident was reported to Talent Police, we have been working with our legal counsel to ensure an appropriate response. After review, we have determined that increasing the length of suspension and permanently revoking internet use privileges for the individual involved is the appropriate course of action.
We plan to carry out a careful review of library policies and their implementation to strengthen safeguards and ensure policies are rigorous enough to protect children from harm. The District Board will take decisive steps to strengthen safeguards and prevent this from happening again. This incident has made it clear that additional staff training and heightened awareness are necessary to maintain safe and welcoming spaces.
“The safety and well-being of our patrons is our highest priority. This incident underscores the importance of swift action and continuous improvement. We are committed to learning from this and implementing stronger safeguards to ensure our libraries remain safe, welcoming spaces for everyone in our community.” – Library Director, Kari May
To protect the safety and well-being of our communities, JCLS leadership, in collaboration with the Library Board of Directors, is actively discussing improvements to prevent similar incidents in the future. These discussions will include input from legal counsel, law enforcement, and other community representatives to establish stronger safeguards.
“Our libraries are cornerstones of trust and learning. We take this matter very seriously. I will encourage the District Board to conduct a thorough review of the facts of this incident, the policies that should have governed the situation, and staff actions during and after to be as certain as we can be that the policies are appropriate and that the staff is well equipped to apply them. We need ensure that we deserve and maintain the trust of our public and our staff.” – President, Board of Directors, Susan Kiefer
While we implement extensive precautions to ensure appropriate use of our facilities, no system is perfect. We expect all patrons to adhere to our policies and code of conduct. Our web filters comply with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, and we remain committed to enforcing these standards.
Your trust matters to us. Every measure we take is focused on ensuring that our libraries remain welcoming, secure, and respectful spaces. We will continue to share updates on the improvements we implement so our community knows exactly how we are addressing this issue. Libraries are places of learning and connection. We are committed to restoring trust and ensuring that every visitor feels safe and supported.
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About Jackson County Library Services:
The JCLS mission is to connect everyone to information, ideas, and each other. We provide a wide range of children’s, teen, and adult resources provided by a staff of experts, including physical and electronic collections; as well as Outreach Services such as visit to local schools and childcare centers, and services for homebound patrons. Our programs and events are wide-ranging and diverse, including storytimes, musical performances, lectures, art exhibits, classes, and book groups. Visit jcls.org to learn more.