The demoted director of the Community Library District will wage a legal fight for her job.

An attorney representing Mary Ellen Close sent notice to Marlene Goodson, president of the Community Library Board, announcing Goodson’s intent to fight her demotion. In the letter, dated Oct. 13, attorney Nicholas Infusino alleges that Close had been “arbitrarily and capriciously” harassed by some members of the library board, and had been targeted, at least in part, because of her age and gender.

“This letter is to put the board on notice that Ms. Close intends to pursue her various claims against the board unless she is restored to the position of director immediately and the board issues a public retraction and apology to Ms. Close for the degradation of character that she has suffered as a result of this process.”

Close — director of the Community Library District since its formation nearly 26 years ago — was demoted Sept. 28. The board voted 6-2 in favor of the demotion, with members Goodson and Shirley Boening, casting the dissenting votes.

Two other members, Dale Baughman of Paddock Lake and Lois Sokolski of Silver Lake resigned in protest prior to the vote.

Voting to demote Close were Ken Mangold and Irene Swan of Randall, Sharon Bower and Michael Mahoney of Twin Lakes, Patrick O’Connell of Salem, and Linda Smith, who represents Wilmot High School.

With her demotion, Close was reassigned as a senior clerk. She is continuing to work for the district.

In the notice to the board, Infusino writes that certain unnamed library trustees had over the past two years “partaken in a plot to defame Ms. Close’s good name both with other trustees and the public at large, to intimidate and harass Ms. Close and to create a hostile work environment.”

Infusino declined to comment on the letter.

Goodson said she forwarded the notice to the rest of the board, to the library’s attorney, Michael Kelly, and to the library’s insurance carrier.

“I am concerned, I’m very concerned,” Goodson said.

She said the insurance carrier is currently conducting an investigation, and has interviewed Goodson, Mangold and Kelly.

She said she expects the insurance carrier to eventually recommend whether the board should seek a settlement with Close or fight the allegations in court.

“We’re waiting for their outcome,” Goodson said.

She said Close had told board members prior to the demotion vote that she would take legal action against them.

“I knew it was coming; she stated that she would,” Goodson said.