Ex-librarian files lawsuit over firing

A longtime librarian has filed an age-discrimination lawsuit against Independence (MI)Township officials alleging she was pushed aside to make room for a younger employee and then was denied health insurance benefits provided to other former workers.

But in February 2006, she was informed via e-mail that another woman, in her 30s and not employed by the township, had been selected as the new library director. Beer, a librarian for more than 30 years with degrees from Harvard University and the University of Michigan in library science, had been passed over by someone she claims was less qualified.