Livermore
Livermore, IA · Arts & Culture
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Amest Tribune
Library asks Ames to enforce an overnight camping ban on its property
The Ames Public Library may start enforcing overnight restrictions to curtail littering and vandalism and keep people from camping on the property. The Ames Library Board of Trustees asked the City of Ames to restrict access during specific hours. City parks have similar restrictions. The board recently said, in a letter to the City of Ames, the library has witnessed "dramatic growth in overnight safety and health concerns on the exterior grounds that cannot be managed by library staff alone." The board said "troublesome activities" occur when the library is closed, including people sleeping near the building, alcohol consumption and drug use. The board said those sleeping nearby have startled upon awakening and have allegedly pulled knives on staff members and followed employees. The library is closed from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. More: ISU professor accused of killing wife dies from self-inflicted gunshot The board is concerned about staff safety should a situation escalate, Library Board Secretary Debra Gibson said during the Nov. 10 Ames City Council meeting. The board's letter also noted problems with people stashing or abandoning personal belongings such as shopping carts, bikes, backpacks and sleeping bags near the building, while people have allegedly "abused library