It is the desire of the library board to clearly and without hesitation show its support for Anne Barber, the Morris Public Library director, and shed light on the reality of the city manager’s actions against her. 

The library board is a diverse group of volunteers who have been involved with the library and Anne Barber herself for many years. We know her well and know her to be a person of honesty, good character, and dedication to a thriving and vibrant public library. 

The library board has been left out of the personnel process even though Minnesota State Statute 134.11 clearly states that the responsibility of oversight lies with it. However, we, too, have investigated the accusations against her and found them sorely lacking. 

We believe wholeheartedly that Anne has been harassed and targeted without reasonable cause. We hope that the community will continue to stand with Anne and show its appreciation for her commitment to the Morris Public Library and this fine community.

First, the accusations were brought without any opportunity or effort to resolve the questions with either the library board or Anne. Many of the minor issues that were brought as accusations have been found to be legitimate library purchases.

Second, many of the books that were sent to Anne’s home were sent during the COVID era; only eight were sent there after city staff indicated that it would not be a proper practice. An easy error on the shipping indicator on Amazon. No one conducted a thorough and systematic search for the items in question during Anne’s absence. All items, but one children’s book, have now been accounted for.

Third, although the city’s attorney for this matter makes every effort to inflate the actual cost of any errors, the real total of $150.72 in unpaid taxes due to the tax exemption status on personal purchases is hardly the act of someone trying to defraud the taxpayers or the city. Anne’s efforts to correct this error with her accountant are proof of her forthright behavior.

Let’s be clear, no harm has come to the city or the library by Anne Barber’s hand! The full harm done to Anne and the library is yet to be determined. The city’s legal fees for this action currently total about $30,000 and are still growing. 

In an act of intimidation, all of these legal fees are being charged to the library budget. You might ask, who has caused the harm? And should the patrons of the library pay the price?

On behalf of the entire Library Board,

Melanie Fohl, chair