The Lopez Library Board of Trustees appreciates the support the Lopez Island community provides to the library. Public commitment has enabled the library to be a major Lopez Island asset. The board realizes that community support depends on community trust. Public communication between community and board is essential to maintaining this relationship.

Unfortunately, at the present time, there is a confidential personnel matter at the library that cannot be discussed publicly.

As questions are being posed to library staff and volunteers, here is the available public information:

On June 18, at a regularly scheduled public board meeting, the board received a report for the Lopez Island Library conducted by the Washington State Auditor. The auditor found that district operations complied with applicable state laws, regulations, and its own policies, and provided adequate controls over the safeguarding of public resources for the years of 2016, 2017 and 2018. This was a standard periodic audit required of all Washington state government entities.

On Aug. 20, at a regularly scheduled public board meeting, the board placed the library director on paid administrative leave until Sept. 3.

On Aug. 30, at a publicly announced special board meeting, the board extended the library director’s paid administrative leave to Sept. 30.

The board is working to a resolution and will disclose any applicable information as it becomes public.

Thanks for your understanding and support.

Lopez Island Library Board of Trustees

Bob Buchholz,

Constance Euerle,

Mike Moore,

Lea Ann Rolla