ENID, OK - At the November 16th library board meeting, allegations of criminal conduct by library employees involving social media software, principally a chat software app called Discord, were brought to the attention of the city manager and city attorney. These allegations were immediately referred to the Enid Police Department. The police department investigated the allegations and found no evidence of criminal conduct.
However, the City does acknowledge that certain actions were taken, which do not fit the mission of the library. These actions included online discussions with minors without parental consent on matters outside the core mission of the library. Our mission at the library is to inform and educate patrons and sustain a safe environment for everyone to create, learn and grow.
The city manager has directed the permanent cessation of the chat room software, Discord, effective immediately. The only currently authorized social media platforms are Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.
We acknowledge and support the rights of parents to know what their minor children are doing at the library and on internet platforms used by the library. Further, the library will not conduct or sponsor programs that focus on sex. That is not our mission.
We are currently analyzing our processes at the library from requesting a library card to checking out a book or signing up for digital software access using any of our approved apps, to ensure that parental oversight is available and in place.
The city manager, library director, and library staff are committed to working with the library board, the city commission, and the public in updating our policies to make sure that we focus on our mission, and are not distracted by societal issues that we are not qualified nor prepared to address. Our goal is to create a safe, inclusive environment conducive to learning.
