Recent Violence At Metro Libraries Sparks Security Changes

The Metropolitan Library System has issued a statement about its security procedures after recent incidents at some of its branches.

"The security of our staff and guests is paramount. We provide extensive security operations at our locations," the CEO for the system, Larry White, said in part. "These operations include video surveillance, panic buttons that ring directly into the police station, armed and unarmed guards at locations throughout the system, and, as of today, the phones have been reprogrammed to have a 911 automatic dial button."

The library system didn't specify which incidents provoked the change. But, court and police records reveal at least two incidents in recent weeks which included violence or threats at two different library branches.

On August 29, Oklahoma City Police arrested 34-year-old Tony McCray. Police say he destroyed nearly $10,000 worth of library equipment at Ralph Ellison Library and threatened to kill people.

More recently, Oklahoma City Police arrested 35-year-old Merton Jim. He, according to police, assaulted a library employee at Capitol Hill Library on September 13. In the police report, Jim is accused of punching the employee in the face several times.

The library manager at Capitol Hill declined an interview but said the location has added another guard since the incident and the employee is expected to recover.

Rebeca Avila is a mother who takes her kids to the Capitol Hill Library most days. Although she didn't witness Wednesday's attack, she says she has previously seen people escalate situations verbally with library employees.

"I was kind of scared because I didn't want my kids to see any fighting or any violence," Avila said. "As mothers, we're trying to protect our kids."