HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-08-25 Public Comment - G. Knapp - Bozeman Public Library April 1, 2025
Bozeman Public Library
626 E Main Street
Bozeman, MT 59715-3768
Dear Board of Trustees,
I am an active citizen of Bozeman. I have watched your city resource being built and
have enjoyed its easy access over the years. However, I am writing this letter out of
concern for my own safety as well as the safety of others.
Let me explain. During a recent visit, I noticed a homeless woman sitting outside of the
front door in the cold. In my mind, I wondered if she was okay and imagined her finding
warmth and conversation within the library if needed. In fact, I've noticed many
vagrants enjoying the library through the years and growing. I expect to see this every
time I visit now. For the most part,they have kept to themselves as I wandered between
the rows of books and magazines and sitting areas.
But during a recent visit, I became very guarded and basically afraid. (I've been attacked
by strangers physically in my past.) I went into the second-floor bathroom. As I did, I
noticed that this young woman who was previously sitting outside of the front door in
the same bathroom was now beside me. I walked past her and went into the stall. She
followed me and went into the stall next to me. I started to get nervous. She was not
going to the bathroom. My old fears reignited---stranger danger. Don't turn your back to
her. I found my nervousness growing.Am I overacting? How can I fight if needed? I
prepared to defend myself.We were the only ones in the bathroom at that time.
As I left, I wondered to myself,why am I being afraid in a public bathroom in a public
place?As I walked out of the stall, she did too at the same time. I said, "Hi, have a nice
day as we stood face to face." She replied loudly, "Thanks for asking, have a nice day."
Harmless? Preventable? Unsafe?That's how I continue to feel now every time I visit the
Bozeman Public Library. My guard is up. I'm not going to visit your bathrooms again.
My suspicions are up. I see the young children and young families coming and going. I
see the computers tied up by many. I talk to others about my new fear and others agree
or have their own stories.
I volunteer for this community. I pay my every-growing property taxes to this
community. These taxes support local grants to HRDC, public safety, special
transportation, and more. Now I wonder if the Bozeman Public Library is watching my
back and others when we visit? Can you ensure my safety in exchange for the privilege of
using this public resource?
That's all that I ask. Nothing happened this time. But I recommend the Board of
Trustees take this situation seriously. For a public senior citizen to feel unsafe at a public
building doesn't even sound good, does it?
Sincer ly,
yle Knapp
511 n erson SVf
Boze , MT 59715
Cc: Interim City Manager, City Mayor
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