The board of the Richmond Public Library is not ready to approve armed guards at its branches.

The issue of deploying guards with guns was discussed at the board meeting last week after two disturbing incidents at the North Avenue Branch recently shook up staff and patrons.

But the board tabled any decision, according to interim Librarian Clay Dishon.

The library has long deployed unarmed security, but has left it to city police to handle serious problems.

The question about the need for armed security arose after a man armed with a rifle came into the North Avenue Branch to check out books. A few weeks later, an apparently drunken patron created a disturbance at the branch, including threatening to kill people inside.

City Councilman Chris A. Hilbert called for stationing an armed guard at the branch following a community meeting at which residents called for increased security. Mr. Hilbert did not attend the library board meeting, however.

Mr. Dishon said the board reviewed crime statistics and found there have been fewer incidents around the branch in the past year than previously.

Since the incidents, he said Richmond Police has met with the North Avenue Branch staff on ways to improve security.

He said the police also have offered to provide additional training for the unarmed security guards the public library now employs.

“That’s being considered,” Mr. Dishon said.

He said the board could again take up the matter of having armed guards at a future meeting.