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KAYSVILLE, Utah (AP) -- Kaysville City Library workers walked off the job Wednesday to protest the City Council's decision the day before to merge the library into the Davis County library system.
A sign taped to the library's front door said, "Library closed due to decision made by your city council."
The four full-time and seven part-time employees stand to lose their jobs when the merger is completed, which is expected in a year.
Library director Paul Stokes said he had heard rumblings of a potential strike, but did not endorse it.
"These are decisions they made as individuals," he said, adding that he expected the employees to return Thursday.
Meanwhile, six residents have begun a petition drive to force a referendum vote to overturn the city council's decision.
The group has 45 days to collect signatures from 1,500 registered voters in the city.
"We're going to make every effort to give the citizens of Kaysville the opportunity to voice their opinion," said Bret Passey, a spokesman for the group.
The petition will seek only to keep the library status quo. It will not seek expansion or construction of a new building.
Some patrons have contended the library's offerings are inadequate and being part of the county system would be better.
Councilman Christopher Snell said Tuesday that joining the county system was the only solution left after failed attempts to raise funds privately and a failed bond election in November.
(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
