6 teenagers barred from libraries after fights

12/22/2006

Six teenagers arrested after three separate fights inside the Main Toledo-Lucas County Public Library in downtown Toledo have been suspended from the library and its branches for a year.

The incidents at the library, 325 North Michigan St., occurred between 4:10 and 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Two occurred in the popular teen area on the first floor; the other happened in the children's library on the second floor, said Susan Gibney, the library's marketing manager.

One of the teenagers, with whom the library has had problems before, was told to leave. The teenager became aggressive and was pepper-sprayed, Lucas County sheriff's Lt. Bobby Leist said.

Some of those arrested are believed to be regulars at the library, Ms. Gibney said.

She said library staff has noticed problems when juveniles group around a computer, and yesterday they tried to have one child per computer. They also tried to break up groups of juveniles congregating in the teen area.