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Reports of violence, addicts in bathrooms on the rise at Boston Public Library

BOSTON — The main branch of Boston Public Library is a landmark in the city, and as a public building it’s open for everyone to experience.

But library officials said that has been leading to an increasing number of problems.

According to the Boston Herald, library branches across the city are seeing an uptick in issues involving addicts and the homeless population.

Library officials told the Herald that needles have been found in library restrooms, in addition to addicts who have passed out.

The library said those issues are especially concerning since children could stumble upon those situations. The library didn’t have statistics for how frequently the incidents are occurring.

The library turned to the city substance abuse and homelessness officials for advice on how to deal with those problems.

The library said that in addition to problems with drug use, fights among the homeless are also becoming more common at library branches.

State Rep. Byron Rushing, who is also a library trustee, told the Herald that the library needs to treat everyone with respect while finding a way to deal with the safety issues.