July 15, 2026
To the Newport Community,
I am certain that many of you heard about the vandalism that occurred on the porch of the library on the evening of July 1st. The Library Board of Trustees, myself, and our staff are very saddened that something like this has happened to our lovely library. Thankfully, when the damage to the porch sprinkler system occurred, the building alarm was triggered, and both the police and the fire department responded. Luckily, damage was limited to the porch only. The police have identified 6 juvenile suspects and the legal wheels are in motion. Now we must turn our focus to cleanup and repairs.
Many heartfelt “thank yous” go out to the following:
- The Newport Police Department and Newport Fire Department for responding so quickly when the building alarm was activated at 10:20 p.m. July 1st and expediently turning off the water to the porch sprinklers.
- Newport police officers for working so swiftly to track down the suspected culprits.
- Vermont Life Safety for their immediate response the morning of July 2nd to remove the broken sprinkler system, cap the sprinkler pipe, and reset the sprinklers inside the library building.
- Kate Luppold, the Executive Director of the Library Arts Center, and Makayla Merritt, one of our Library Trustees, for helping me on July 2nd to clean up the worst of the dirt/rust damage on the porch.
- All of the library patrons and other community members who have expressed their sadness and support through Facebook, Instagram, email, phone calls, and visits to the library. We have been graciously reminded of what a wonderful community Newport is!
- Community members who have donated funds to the library in response to the vandalism. We will be using those funds to pay the deductible on our insurance claim and any portion of the cost of cleanup and repairs that our insurance does not cover. Donated funds which remain will be applied toward payment for the purchase and installation of 7 security cameras on the library property, a project that was already in the planning stages before the vandalism occurred.
Lastly, I would like to personally thank our wonderful Library Board of Trustees and my fantastic library staff for their unwavering support in the wake of the vandalism. I count myself extremely lucky to work for and with such wonderful people!
Sincerely,
Sally J. Bernier
Library Director
Richards Free Library
