First Day On Job, Librarian Finds Civil War-Era Military Shells

CARLISLE, MA – Live Civil War-era military shells were found were found Thursday morning in a Carlisle library closet, prompting the evacuation of the building but ending pretty innocuously. It was the librarian's first day on the job.

Police responded to a report around 10 a.m. about "several ordnances" being found in the closet of the Gleason Public Library. Police determined the devices to military shells from some time around the Civil war that were donated to the town as part of a Gettysburg collection.

Police called in the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad to evaluate the shells, which were determined to be live. Police safely transported them to the town's transfer station to detonate them.

There was no danger to the community, police said.

"The librarian did exactly the right thing by notifying us of these antique military shells once they were located," Carlisle Police Chief John Fisher said. "We appreciate the assistance from the State Police in rendering the ordnances safe, and I want to thank the public for their patience during this process."

Photos courtesy of Carlisle PD