http://www.cbs3springfield.com/news/local/51361147.html
By Matthew Campbell
Story Published: Jul 21, 2009 at 11:18 PM EDT
Story Updated: Jul 21, 2009 at 11:18 PM EDT
Weeks after a CBS 3 Springfield investigation uncovered an alleged child porn cover-up, the Holyoke library has made changes.
New computers, equipped with state of the art firewalls is the response from the Holyoke Library after their computers were infiltrated by child porn.
"It will prevent any changes and any downloading onto our computers," says library director, Maria Pagan.
Back in December, Holyoke resident Michael Houle, was indicted for accessing child porn on the library's computer.
It took three days before someone finally went to police.
It was librarian Carla Wessells. She spoke exclusively to CBS 3 Springfield earlier this month, alleging a cover-up took place.
"She kept saying over and over, the police are going to want to know a name. And she told me to just relax," Wessels said in that interview.
Tuesday at a board meeting, the library denied a cover up, but admitted there were gaps in their safety policies.
Now they're correcting them.
"Between the new computers and state of the art software, this is a step forward," Pagan says.
Patrons can see the changes as new signs are posted on the walls.
A new safety security manual was revised and approved by the Holyoke Police Department.
Appleton Street officials say the city's library matches or beats the safety at any other library in the state.
"Keeping it simple like that eliminates any questions about what needs to be done," says Holyoke Police Lt. Denise Duguay.
In August, all employees will undergo mandatory training on what to do if someone abuses the library computers again.
"I think it's a good start. There may be employees that weren't sure how to handle the situation so I think the training is always a good start," says resident Melissa Rogers.
Residents again feel safe to bring their kids to the Maple Street library, but aren't sure the director, the one accused of a cover up, should go unpunished.
"The first thing she should've done is bring it to somebody's attention and that should've been the police," says Brenda Cruz.
However, the library, admits no wrong.
In a telephone interview with Board president Ellen Moriarty, she says, nothing will be done to Maria because "she's served the board well."
No matter how residents are feeling, it appears that the controversy will end here.
The board is run independently from the city, so all decisions, including this one, can't be challenged.
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