Local News

Somerville library to go back to normal hours, but with private security

The adjusted hours were due to incidents that had “really shaken staff and members of the public.”

The Somerville Public Library is going back to its normal library hours, after changing its schedule earlier this month. Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

By Lindsay Shachnow

September 25, 2024

1 minute to read

After adjusting its schedule in response to incidents involving disruptive teenagers, Somerville Central Library is going back to its normal hours, but with additional security in place.

The library plans to resume normal hours by Oct. 4; however, the date is not yet finalized, a spokesperson for the city told Boston.com.

The Central Library branch on Highland Avenue temporarily implemented mid-day closures earlier this month.

Previously:

Somerville Library closes after school over ‘teen behavior concerns’

The closures were due to an “ongoing pattern of serious, disruptive, and sometimes dangerous occurrences during mid-day hours” which have “really shaken staff and members of the public,” Somerville City Council President Ben Ewen-Campen said in a statement.

The issues have been ongoing for months. The mayor’s Chief of Staff had a meeting with library, high school, and police department representatives to talk about “teen behavior concerns in and around the library” in February, with police having been called in to respond to some incidents.

“We recognize that the behaviors we’ve encountered reflect broader systemic issues affecting community public safety, and we are actively working to address the underlying causes,” the city said in a statement on Sept. 3. “The focus remains on creating positive solutions and interventions.”

Now, the city plans to return to normal hours, but with added private security.

“We’re taking immediate steps to improve safety including bringing on a security firm trained in de-escalation, and security cameras have been installed,” according to a statement from Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne.

Ballantyne said the library aims to address the problem with “a range of interventions,” including hiring an on-site social worker and expanding library programming to bring “engaging activities for all ages to the Central Library and surrounding spaces.”

“We’ve experienced an ongoing pattern of unsafe behavior that has impacted both our patrons and staff,” the statement said. “We want to thank the community for its understanding and patience as we work to create a safe and welcoming environment.”