Library Adding Security Services Before Reopening: Officials

ST. CHARLES, IL — The St. Charles Public Library remains closed as library officials take steps to enhance security measures.

On Jan. 18, 30 to 40 people went into the library without masks as part as an organized protest. A video posted on Instagram by Awake Illinois shows unmasked children and adults reading and playing puzzles while at the library.

According to Awake Illinois, the protest was peaceful.

The library has a mask mandate in place and staff at the library asked the group to leave. And then they called police.

Since then, library officials say they received several emails and comments on social media threatening physical retaliation over the library's policy. Some of the comments suggested ;arge groups would enter the library without masks and others wrote, "they don’t even know what a threat to safety is yet" and "freedom rules. You guys are going to go down

The library has been closed since Jan. 20.

On Jan. 28, library officials said they were working toward reopening as soon as possible and are currently working to add additional security services, according to a statement on the library's website.

Patrons are encouraged to use virtual services or the library's drive-up window until the library reopens.