Trails Regional Library Warrensburg Branch — Attraction in Warrensburg

LOCK YOUR CARS I wanted to give four stars but this library no longer feels like a safe haven to me. I started coming here around ten years ago. For a few years in my early twenties I would come here to use the wifi on my laptop. Food used to be fine and I was always respectful and clean. I never had to worry if I would be able to use the restroom or the water fountain before I left. Now, depending on the day, they close the off the restrooms as early as 4:30, when they close at 5. I got up early from the back of the building to get a drink before walking home in the heat, thinking I had plenty of time and had to walk home without water. They used to flicker the back lights 15 minutes before, which maintained a peaceful atmosphere. Now someone yells and hangs around the back making you feel pushed out. And as everyone knows, yes there are homeless that spend their days there. I never minded their presence before. And I wouldn't now except I've been bothered by one individual several times after making it clear that I don't want to talk. I've always mostly kept to myself. I've been struggling the last few years which led me to isolating myself at home. I started leaving the house more this year, hoping for a quiet space to get used to being around people again without the pressure. I thought libraries were supposed to be quiet. This library has never been truly quiet, but it used to be a lot more so. Loud conversations go unchecked. At the beginning of the year, I made a point to leave the house and spend time here. But one homeless woman sat behind me and was doing things like laughing loudly or tapping her table to get my attention. I could feel her watching me but tried to ignore. I started to gather my things and she tried to start a conversation. I tried keep it polite but I didn't want to talk. I ended up leaving abruptly. The next time, she made a point to sit right next to me at the computer tables and was looking at my phone over my shoulders. I was sitting at the end and there were no other people at the computers. She made a point to be in my space. I called her out and moved. She continues to try to speak to me if she sees me outside or will still invade my space inside, as recently as two weeks ago. This time I was sitting by the front door. I pulled into the parking lot of the library yesterday morning around 10am. Saw the usual homeless crowd sitting on the ledge at the edge of the lot. I parked in the second to last spot, next to another older vehicle. I noticed a woman in my mirror, looking at the plants at the back of the parking lot, directly behind my car. She stayed there for a long minute or two. I tried to brush it off but instinct told me to roll up my windows. She finally started heading towards the building and slowly walked up between my car and the one next to me. I didn't look up but I felt as though she was checking my windows, and she stopped, looking down into my driver's window, facing me. I ignored her hoping she would just pass by while I pretended to be busy. She turned and I watched her check the front window of the other car, for a long time. I kept my eyes on her and she eventually turned back to look into my car again. Our eyes met and she jumped a little. I kept my stare as she started frantically waving her arm with a blank face, small pupils on a cloudy day. I didn't respond, just kept glaring at her, and she stopped. Her face was way to close to my window but we held our gaze until she finally turned and went inside the far door. I couldn't get my phone fast enough to get a picture of her. So I sat in my car for a few more minutes, deciding what to do. I decided I needed to warn the staff. I spotted this woman already on the opposite side from where our "interaction" happened, so I tried to keep my voice down as I informed the person at the desk. She got behind me in line. I can no longer come here just for a nice time, knowing that active predators and desperate people will absolutely invade my space while I myself am vulnerable. LOCK YOUR CARS AND HIDE YOUR...

While this is overall a nice library, especially the staff, number of books and good location, I must sadly say the children's programs can sometimes be annoying. As an avid reader since I was a child, I sincerely understand the need for children to read and/or be read to. That would present itself as a quiet atmosphere. The open room concept for musical presentations is a circus. It's hard to concentrate on deciding which books to check out, or concentrate on computer needs.

I would favor an "in the back" location for these activities and keep the general area up front for what it was intended. Not sure if there is another floor or basement to this library, but it would be helpful. I just dont think running day care type programs in the library suits the needs...

Came inside to cool off for five mins and drink a cold drink I brought. Kicked me out for having a soda. It’s not an inside drink or from that place but there’s someone sitting in front of me RIGHT NOW with an open coffee cup right now and they’re allowed to have it because they had a badge and they were invited there. They’re allowed to have an open drink in the public library. But the public is not. How unfair is this establishment and the old white Karen’s that work there? I’m never using trails regional...