In a continued effort to improve service and create a more welcoming environment, Finkelstein Memorial Library has removed the plexiglass barriers from its circulation desk. The barriers, originally installed during the COVID-19 pandemic as a health and safety measure, had remained in place for several years.
The removal marks a return to more direct, in-person interactions between staff and patrons. It is part of the library’s broader initiative to respond to the evolving needs of the community and enhance the overall user experience.
Union’s response:
Dear Ms. Wolven:
This is in reference to the removal of the sneeze guard installed at the front desk of the Circulation Department.
This morning, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, we arrived at work completely shocked to see the shield removed. The hanging decor was on the desk, pencils and pens lying strewn about, sand from pots scattered on the desk and on the books that were left on the desk. No regard was paid to our personal items. We should have been given time to clear the front desk. Why the haste?
We had it since the Pandemic and it has served its purpose as a deterrent from contracting COVID and other diseases from the public and vice versa. And on occasions where volatile situations arise from patrons who act up and physically reach across the desk, the shield has served as a protective wall to mitigate the situation. An employee has had items thrown at her by a patron. We voiced these concerns to Elyse especially when she asked us our opinion on the possible removal of the shield and we appreciated her for asking us.
The Finkelstein Memorial Library is an active proponent of NYS Assembly Bill A6903A which requires public libraries to develop and implement workplace protection for its employees. The untimely and heinous demise of Sandra Wilson will forever be etched in our memories. Recently, we had 2 employees (just from Circulation) in the hospital sick with COVID and struggling with lasting effects.
Months ago, the shield was raised a few inches and we thought the issue was resolved. We respectfully demand to reinstall the shield at the soonest time possible. If you must raise a few more inches to accommodate books to slide underneath, then we agree to this.
Decency dictates that at the very least our voices be heard should there be decisions that affect our safety, welfare, health and dispensation of our job.
Circulation staff are at the forefront of library service to the community. If you value these employees they must feel safe and secure to be able to carry out their duties as front-line, front-facing service representatives of the library.
Respectfully,
Circulation Department Full-Time/Substitutes/Adult Pages
This is a public-facing job. The job of people who work in a library is to interact with the patrons and provide them with customer service. Maybe the reason people feel uncomfortable in the library is because of staff’s unwillingness to interact with patrons, 5 years after covid. Perhaps if people felt more connection to the library and the staff, they would want to promote it and pass the budget.
I agree with providing good customer service, but at what cost. The staff at the library deserves to feel safe. The staff is always friendly when I go in. I have never felt like they did not want to help me. I voted yes for the budget. It’s unfortunate that a lot of people can’t think for themselves. Many of the patrons were told to vote the budget down. How is that fair? Stop making excuses.
This is a wonderful development. I really hope this new change in leadership will transform the library into a place where we enjoy visiting much like Sufern.
Dear Library Administration,
As a longtime patron of the Finkelstein Memorial Library, I felt compelled to express my thoughts regarding the recent letter from certain Circulation Department staff objecting to the removal of the plexiglass shield at the front desk.
Frankly, I was surprised and disappointed by the tone and content of the letter. The shield, while once a necessary response to the pandemic, has long since outlived its purpose. We are now in a different stage of public life, where reconnecting and rebuilding open lines of communication is essential—especially in a place like the library, which has always represented openness, approachability, and community.
From a patron’s point of view, the plexiglass was a barrier—not just physically, but interpersonally. It often made conversations muffled and awkward, created unnecessary distance, and, at times, gave the impression that staff were deliberately removed or inaccessible. This did not align with the welcoming environment libraries are meant to foster.
Let’s be clear: patrons value and respect the work of the library staff. But the library is a public space, and decisions must also reflect the needs and experiences of the community it serves. That includes creating an environment where communication is clear, faces are visible, and interactions feel human again.
I fully support the removal of the plexiglass and commend the administration for taking steps to restore the open, interactive space that libraries were always meant to be.
Sincerely,
Library Patron
You must be friends with a board member. This letter is giving entitlement. Wake up, and take a look at the world we live in. Things will never be the same.
I’m so glad the library finally did this! It was so annoying until now!
annoying why? Because you can’t fit your 50 books that you want to check out. It’s not all about books, and being inconvenienced, its about the safety of the workers.
I can’t wait until the library closes on Sundays. What are you gonna do then?
Finally!!!! This was the only place in Rockland that still thought it was 2020. Welcome to 2025!
Nanuet library still has barriers
Finally we won’t have to give or take one book at a time and scratch our hands while taking it over! Thank you for taking it down.
I love the library! I come with my kids almost every week. Whenever I’m there, I mention the glass and how annoying it is. Thank you to the library for listening to us and taking it down!
You must also be one of the patrons that voted the budget down. I don’t understand why a piece of plastic is such big news. Have you taken into consideration the are the library is in? Not only is the barrier protecting from getting sick, it also protects workers from irate patrons.
I have been to the library many times, and appreciate the barriers. I also think it’s a safety issue. Are we quick to forget the stabbing and ultimate death of a security guard. I can’t help to think if they had the barriers up on the 3rd floor she would still be here.. The circulation department has always offered clear, and excellent service.
Thank you for being concerned about the safety of the staff while everyone else is worried about their mild inconvenience. The murder is still a heavy weight for those who were present and who knew and worked with Sandra.
What happened to Sandra Wilson at the library was a terrible tragedy. It should not have happened. However, as I recall, the sneeze shields were not put up in response to her death. They were installed a couple months later when Covid started. They were installed as germ-protection, not protection from mentally disturbed patrons. Her death should not be linked to the covid plexiglass, and in fact, it feels disrespectful to do so.
If you read the staff letter, you will see that, although Covid was the reason the barrier went up, it has since served several different uses. This happens all the time. For example, sidewalk dips are meant for wheelchair users, but are also useful for strollers, suitcases, deliveries, etc. Both can be true. Serving the public doesn’t have to mean constantly getting sick (with non-Covid illnesses). And yes, unfortunately sometimes people get angry or are suffering from other issues and try to attack the staff.
The imposition of the barrier (while of questionable value during COVID) served to create the wrong atmosphere. Our internet/iphone lives of no direct contact with other people does not need re-enforcement in the library. The barriers created an needless distance between the public and the staff. It made it difficult to understand them when they condescended to talk to us. The staff is there to serve the public; it’s not an entitlement. More connection between people is needed; not less.
I just witnessed a gentleman get angry and throw books at staff at this desk.
I think a lot of the patrons that attend FML do not realize the crime in the area. take a look at this and then tell me that the workers should not feel safe at work.
2025 Crime Incidents
Aggravated Assault 32
Arson 3
Burglary 0
Larceny and Theft 284
Motor Vehicle Theft 0
Murder and Manslaughter 0
Rape 34
Robbery 20
Crime Rate (Total Incidents) 542
Property Crime 250
Violent Crime 86