St. Charles Public Library Remains Closed Following Threats

ST. CHARLES, IL — The St. Charles Public Library remains closed after two visitors got into a near altercation on Thursday after a spat over the library's masking policy. Library officials say they fielded threatening calls and emails following the incident, as well as threats over social media, and have seen an increase in incidents and refusal by patrons to follow their masking policies, according to the Kane County Chronicle.

On Saturday, the St. Charles Library Board voted in favor of a motion to support the library's enforcement of current policies, which includes closing the library when the safety of staff or patrons is being threatened, according to the article.

"We are continuing to work with the St. Charles Police Department to determine the proper steps to safely reopen the library,"library board President Robert Gephar said. "Until then, the library will remain closed to in-person visits. Our virtual services and drive-up window will remain available to patrons."

More via the Kane County Chronicle