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I agree there's a need to confirm the identity of the caller. But the story implies the library refused the police even after knowing they were the police.

"However, Steiner said that after being contacted about the police request, she told her staff they could release the information if they were sure the caller was a law enforcement officer and it was "a matter of life or death." Steiner said the library was prepared to release the woman's identity about 10 minutes after the first call by police, but was told it was no longer necessary."

It is clear that the librarian was insisting on having an actual confirmed police officer, rather than a prankster or a stalker.

The woman didn't even want to have her information given out at the hospital. Perhaps she is fearful of someone (possibly an abusive spouse who may even have beat her up and thrown her in the ice), she is an illegal, or possibly she is Amish (Lancaster, OH) and was ashamed of what would happen if people found out she'd been beaten or raped.