The library’s bathroom facilities have been plagued by clogging, attributed to patrons flushing inappropriate items, such as diapers. To combat this, the commission considered installing hand dryers to eliminate the use of paper towels, which have been a contributing factor to the plumbing issues. A quote of $21,500 was discussed for plumbing repairs to address the clogged pipes, but members expressed uncertainty about its effectiveness.

A key and sign-in sheet for the bathrooms was proposed to monitor and control access, with members debating its potential to provide valuable usage data versus concerns over patron privacy and the additional workload for library staff. Despite reservations, the commission passed a motion to reopen the bathrooms with this new system.

The meeting also covered the possibility of installing language-specific signage in the bathrooms, with Spanish, Portuguese, and Mandarin suggested to cater to the diverse library patronage. The placement of diaper changing stations was under scrutiny, with a suggestion to remove one from the women’s restroom due to clogging issues caused by disposed diapers.

The timeline for resolving these issues was a point of contention, as members stressed the need for a clear plan in case of future clogs. Preventive measures such as regularly snaking the drains were considered, though concerns were raised about the potential wear on the pipes from such maintenance.

Further discussions included the potential of designating the library as a cooling center given its air conditioning facilities and the upcoming paving project that could impact library access. The window replacement at the library was mentioned, highlighting the need for additional funding and the difficulty in finding suitable contractors for the task.