Shootings are not altogether a common occurrence in northwest Iowa, but the Spencer library administration doesn’t want to take any chances.

“Thinking we could never be a target is dangerously foolish,” Paula Brown, Assistant Director, explained her reasoning for participating in the training.

“(The Spencer library is) a public place and service, and shootings happen most commonly in public places,” Executive Director Mandi Roberts explained. “We can’t have that ‘it’ll never happen to us’ mentality. We hope that it doesn’t happen, but it is a possibility. I would rather be trained on how to protect my patrons should it ever happen and not need it, than not know what to do and have something happen.” Read more