Comments were mixed Monday night during the public comment section of the Vigo County Library’s regular business meeting. It appeared that an equal number of individuals came to speak in support of the proposed shower and laundry facilities at the new 12 Points branch as those opposed.

Despite vocal opposition at last month’s meeting, there were no actions items on the agenda related to the shower and laundry facilities, but that did not stop several residents from expressing their disappointment in the library’s decision.

One member of the Collett Park neighborhood said that she did not believe the inclusion of showers and laundry was within the scope of the library’s vision and mission. According to the VCPL website their mission is to, “generate positive change in the community by creating an environment of opportunity in which people can explore, expand their perspectives, and transform their own lives and the lives of future generations.”

Executive director of the library Kristi Howe had previously stated that people will be allowed to schedule appointments to use the facilities, which will be located in the basement of the new library, and will be inaccessible to visitors. She also has stated that those using the showers and laundry will be able to use library services to look for work.

Another concern expressed at the meeting was that providing these types of services is not a common practice in libraries in the region, but it was mentioned that a similar program is offered at the Charles County Public Library in Waldorf, Maryland and at Delray Beach Public Library in Delray Beach, Florida.

One current employee of the library did speak in support of the shower and laundry facilities by mentioning that at the main branch of the library the local homeless population already regularly uses the services they provide, so offering other avenues of support is not likely to create a dramatic increase.

One angry resident did accuse the library’s board of trying to hide their decisions, and asked if the decision to include that shower and laundry facilities was unanimous. In response the board stated that the decision had been a part of the plans for the library from the beginning and the decision had been unanimous.