DAYTON — Community leaders are speaking out after several massive fights forced libraries to shut down.
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Just this year, News Center 7 has covered two major fights at the Dayton Metro Library or a branch library.
Both fights involved dozens of high school students.
Fights have lead to chaos and unplanned shutdowns.
“It really does impact the work we do here,” Allison Knight, youth services director for Dayton Metro Library said.
Knight is in the middle of every conversation with community partners trying to change young people’s behavior, but libraries cant crack down the same way shopping centers do.
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“Not only is it not feasible but it’s actually not legal. We are required to be free and open to everybody,” she said.
Knight said the library sponsors all kind of programs for teens, including one called “Adulting 101.”
The goal is to help them learn things like financial literacy and how to solve problems without violence.
The violence hurts everyone, including the library system.
“It’s really devastating and frustrating to see people say that they worry about coming down here, that they’re not sure what kind of environment they are walking into,” Knight said.
Library leaders said hundreds of students a day come to libraries.
The vast majority are doing waht they’re supposed to do, now leaders want to make sure everyone id doing the right things for the safety and learning of all.
News Center 7 will continue to update this story.
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