SACRAMENTO, Calif. — It's been nearly five months since Amber Clark was shot and killed outside of a North Natomas library. According to police officials, the 41-year-old librarian was targeted in the fatal parking lot shooting.
Clark's husband, Kelly, describes his late wife as a fierce advocate for literacy with a lifelong love for learning.
"She was also very passionate about helping her community - whether it was as a teacher teaching English to students in a low-income area of Las Vegas or whether it was as a librarian ensuring that the underserved had all of the information needs that they required," Clark added.
Two weeks prior to her death, Clark says Amber felt uneasy and was worried about her safety after several incidents with patrons.
"Her first interaction with that man really shook her," Clark explained. "She was very shaken by that interaction with that man, [and] it made her worried."
Clark's alleged killer, Ronald Seay, had a history of threatening library staff and had previously been banned from the North Natomas Library.
"I would really like for the library staff who are concerned with their safety to make their concerns known," Clark said.
In a recent op-ed published by American Libraries, Clark wrote about the need for libraries to make a stronger push for stricter safety measures.
"What libraries need to do is take some active ownership, instead of passively hoping that the institutionalization practices will help do something about the mental health situation that's out of control," Clark explained.
The Director of the Sacramento Public Library, Rivkah Sass, told ABC10 that they have increased security staff since Amber Clark's death.
"Ten months before the shooting, arrangements were made to bring in a trainer that specializes in libraries," Sass explained.
She also said there were plans to have active shooting training and work with the SWAT team to train staff on what to do in those situations.
Clark is asking for anyone to wishes to honor Amber to make a donation for a scholarship fund that will help a student pursue a degree in education. If you'd like to donate to Amber Clark's legacy, click here.
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