By Igor Studenkov | Bugle Staff
nweditor@buglenewspapers.com
@NilesILNews
The Niles Public Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to allow alcohol to be sold and distributed at special events.
However, the vote doesn’t mean that alcohol would be allowed at every event. When staff wants to serve drinks, it must make a request to the board, which must then vote on whether to approve alcohol sales.
If allowed, drinks would have to be served in a space that’s separate from the general library areas – such as the large meeting room – and drinks must stay inside that space. The policy also states that alcohol can’t be served to patrons under the age of 21.
The policy was introduced due to a recent change in state law, which allowed libraries to sell and serve alcohol at special events – but only if it has a policy in place.
Library Director Susan Lempke told the library board that she wanted to make sure the policy was on the books just in case it’s ever needed.
“I don’t anticipate that this is something we’ll be doing very often.” she said. “I would see it as probably only for the most special occasions, or if there was possibly a program that’s directly related to [alcohol].”
Lempke also emphasized that the board had full control over any decisions about if and when alcohol would be served.
“It will always remain in board’s hands to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on any particular proposal,” she said. “This is just to make it possible.”