By Joe Bachman

The McMillan Library Board of Trustees will implement the same active shooter response procedures the city did last month.

Based on the ALICE response system, (an acronym for alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate) library staff discussed the best options and closest exits for such a situation. The procedure is meant to increase survivability, and has been instituted in other area businesses and schools.

“Part of the expectation based on ALICE is to alert, and to get out as much exact information as you can.” said Superintendent Colleen Dickman.

The library procedure will have a rallying point across the street in the Hotel Mead lobby should there be any emergency of this kind. If the public and staff are unable to leave, they will lockdown and hide, according to procedure.

“This is good guidance for our staff,” said Assistant Director of McMillan Library Andy Barnett.

The procedure emphasizes that an attempt to evacuate should be taken at any opportunity. Otherwise, it puts the importance on running, hiding, and taking cover if persons are not able to leave the building. The board voted to pass the procedure unanimously.