The Highland City Library continued on its recent roller coaster of intermingled good and bad news Tuesday night during the Highland City Council meeting Tuesday night.

Library consultant Lynn Lonsdale announced Tuesday that the library achieved its acquisition goal July 27, making it eligible for membership in the North Utah County Library Cooperative. The library needed just more than 46,000 titles and items to join the cooperative allowing Highland patrons free access to nearby libraries, including those in Pleasant Grove, American Fork and Lehi. The library purchased the final 1,700 items July 27 and is cataloging them for patron use, Lonsdale said, crediting the library staff, especially Kim Bergeson and Carol Rice, for this achievement.

But this milestone for the library was overshadowed by further behind-the-scenes issues. To the shock and dismay of many library patrons, Rice, the library outreach director, resigned Tuesday. She announced her resignation during the council’s regular time set aside for residents to voice opinions on the city. She said because there is a “vacuum of leadership and legitimate human resources” she addressed her comments to the council members.

Despite loving working in a place where she can celebrate a patron’s new job after assisting them with a resume, helping a reluctant reader find just the right book, or daily interacting with the children of the city, Rice said the city working environment surrounding the library is toxic. In the months since December, she said, the working atmosphere at the city drastically diminished and there are too many practices within the city led by ego, revenge and harassment.

“In spite of my loyalties, I don’t want to be someone who is OK to marinate in such an environment. I’m tired of petty rants and schoolyard bullies playing games,” she said. “I love working in a growth environment where people lift each other and personal development is encouraged and rewarded. I recognize that is not this environment, at least not anymore. Therefore, I join the ranks of other Highland employees who have left for similar reasons, and resign my beloved position as outreach director for the Highland City Library.”

Rice worked at the library for four years, and was recently made the full-time outreach director. The library employs six part-time and two full-time positions. Former library director Janae Wahnschaffe left at the beginning of the summer. Highland still has not filled her position.

Councilman Scott Smith expressed sadness about Rice’s resignation.

“She has been an essential part of all the improvements in the library and worked so hard to develop our new children’s library,” he added.

In the same meeting, the City Council also addressed changes to the municipal code governing the library board. Mayor Rod Mann was prepared to appoint another board member, but the council delayed that appointment until the board has time to decide how many members should be on the board, and details about board terms are worked out.

The library board and council had a joint meeting planned Aug. 23, but postponed that until September, after the board meets.