[MSN] Bakersfield. Northeast Residents Outraged Over Vandalized Library.

[Museum Security Network Mailing list]

Northeast Residents Outraged Over Vandalized Library

POSTED: 5:31 pm PDT October 4, 2007
UPDATED: 6:18 pm PDT October 4, 2007


BAKERSFIELD -- Residents in northeast Bakersfield are upset and questioning
why a teenager would vandalize their local library branch.

The act of vandalism took place around 2 a.m. Sunday, when a 16-year-old boy
used a cement sewer cover to smash the exterior windows of the library.

According to police, the boy, who was under the influence of alcohol at the
time, also knocked over bookshelves and used several fire extinguishers to
spray fire retardant all over the library.

Today, the library branch on Columbus and Oswell remains closed. Dusty
retardant residue remains on many of the books and desks inside the library.
Library staff are unsure of when the branch will be re-opened.

Many library patrons who came back to return books were outraged that
someone would vandalize the library.

Patrons can leave their used books at the library book drop or renew them on
the Kern County Library website at www.kerncountylibrary.org.