A public library in New York is making a public plea after an upsetting incident in the children’s section.
The Merrick Public Library posted about an incident on social media that occurred on Friday just before 3p.m.
A group of young teens, likely between 12 and 13 threw their bikes down in front of the library, went inside and walked directly to the children’s library.
“They started screaming and cursing, obviously there are kids in the children’s room,” said assistant library director Meira Broderick. “They were yelling slurs and screaming at our librarian. They were trying to make a spectacle.”
Security and staff escorted the teens out of the library and police were called. Library staff say they recognized most of the teens as local Merrick students likely in seventh or eighth grade. They hope that parents will read this post and speak to their children.
“We’re here a lot and that hasn’t happened to us but it does not shock me,” said Jessica Bartholomeo. “The kids here are out of control.”
“I think this is crossing a line because this is a place where people come to get things done and there are a lot of children here and they are saying inappropriate things. Nobody wants their child around that,” said Francesca DiPalo of Merrick.