Following an assault on a librarian in Dannevirke, the Tararua District Council is now considering what measures need to be taken to ensure the safety of staff.
Council chief executive Blair King told councillors the issue has highlighted a conflict between the goals of council in making the library inclusive and welcoming and the recent Worksafe prosecution of Winz Ashburton.
Councillor David Roberts asked what can be done to protect council workers in front offices and libraries.
"Do we put them in glass cages?"
Mr King said it wasn't practical to put cages around counters at libraries.