Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Library reopens without fanfare

Temporary shortened hours will be 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

CLOVIS — The Clovis-Carver Public Library is open again, easing its way back into full operation after the deadly shooting that shook the community barely two weeks past.

"We are glad to be here. We are blessed to be here," said Margaret Hinchee, the library's director. "It has been difficult, but we are happy to be back."

Thursday marked the "soft opening" of the library, free of ceremony, for abbreviated hours the rest of the month. All programming there is suspended until October, and details of its return will be online as they come available. Late fees for September are waived. Until further notice, the library hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, Hinchee said.

Interim City Manager Tom Phelps would not detail any new security measures that may be in place for the library, but said city personnel were "going to continue to do (their) best to make sure that it is a safe facility."

Phelps said the decision to have a soft opening was based on "the needs and desires of our staff, in consultation with the counseling team that is assisting (them)."

"That's what we decided made the most sense and I wholeheartedly agree with the approach," he added.

Fanfare or not, returning to the space stirred memories for many patrons.

"It was emotional, especially to see the library workers," said Ann Shuckman, a Clovis resident of 45 years and a member of the library board. "I thought I was fine when I came in today, but it was different when I saw them. Here they are trying to comfort people like us. I'm really proud of them for being here and serving Clovis."

The quiet resumption of library services marks a return to some normalcy for the space, which was thrust into national prominence after a gunman opened fire there Aug. 28, killing library employees Wanda Walters and Krissie Carter and wounding another employee and three patrons.

In the days that followed, television crews hovered around the building cordoned off with crime scene tape. Anonymous callers claiming association with the alleged shooter - 16-year-old Nathaniel Jouett — threatened mass violence to city businesses and public entities on two occasions, though none of those threats appeared to materialize.

Yet the community showed its resolve, raising funds for victims' families and reviving a "Clovis Strong" campaign marked by purple ribbons in public spaces. On Sept. 1, a crowd filled the library parking lot for a candelight vigil including musical performances and emotional speeches from city officials, pastors and Hinchee herself.

Jouett was arrested without further incident immediately after the shooting, charged with multiple counts of first-degree murder, assault, aggravated battery and child abuse for which a grand jury determined last week he will be tried as an adult. He is scheduled for an arraignment Sept. 21 in District Court.

Since then the yellow tape has come down from the library, though the ribbons remain. There was some painting and other refurbishments done to the interior, said Hinchee, and all library staff have returned save for the circulation assistant who was injured and is recovering.

Asked how it felt to be back in the space, Hinchee hesitated but stood firm.

"It has made us realize how important we are to each other," she said. "It has instilled in us what a wonderful service we provide to Clovis and our patrons."

Attendance Thursday was lower than normal, said Hinchee, but a person unacquainted with recent events might have taken it for a simple, sleepy afternoon. A handful of patrons searched the card catalog, used a computer or browsed the aisles as usual.

Kristie Sanders came back to the library Thursday with her two young children, who she said always enjoyed seeing the friendly staff.

"It was a little bit sad because Wanda was always at the front counter," she said. "It was kind of dismal today, but my kids love the library."

Betty Burke of Clovis had actually planned to drop off some books Aug. 28, but decided to hold off for a day. Her son-in-law, who knew she frequently visited the library, called from Colorado to ask if she was OK and she had no idea what he was talking about.

Burke was one of many library patrons who'd known Walters for years, and she said Thursday she has lost plenty of sleep over the last few weeks thinking about how harrowing the experience must have been.

"We will never forget, but it won't be as difficult as time goes on," added Shuckman. "I think. I hope."

— Staff Writer Kevin Wilson contributed to this report.