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Evanston librarian Lesley Williams, under fire from the library director and board for criticizing the library’s record on diversity, announced today she’s resigned from her position.

Williams, in a statement, said, “The current hostile atmosphere and mistrust would make it impossible for me to continue to be effective.”

But she said she plans to “continue to work with community members determined to push for full racial equity in library services, collections, hiring and locations.”

Williams, who posts on Facebook as the “cranky librarian” will retire with a pension for her more than 20 years of work at the library and says, “I am in a position to not need to look for a new job immediately.”

Related stories

Viewpoint: Censorship at the library (6/5/17)

Things to know about the Evanston Public Library (6/4/17)

Facebook post may get librarian fired (6/2/17)

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

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