Clinton library sees second act of physical violence this month

Another physical assault involving juveniles happened last week at the Clinton Township Public Library, the library’s second such event this month.

By BRAD HEINEMAN

Clinton Local

A second act of physical violence this month involving juvenile patrons at the Clinton Township Public Library (CTPL) was reported by library leadership on Tuesday, March 10 — merely one week after an initial incidence of physical violence on March 2.

Village of Clinton Police were immediately called and the March 10 situation was handled, according to a social media post on the Clinton Township Public Library’s Facebook page.

The second violent incident this month, which CTPL Director Mary Gallup described as a 12-year-old becoming hostile and assaulting a patron, resulted in the victim getting hurt.

The sudden number of assaults at the library spawned a statement letter from Gallup to the community in which she formally addressed the incidents that have happened over the past few weeks.

In her letter, Gallup said safety is taken very seriously at the Clinton library, and policies are in place for “these exact situations.”

“Children and families rely on the library for many of its resources, such as a safe building for children to be after school,” Gallup said. “The children who come to the library are given the choice to come to the library and follow the rules, or not come at all.”

Both of the incidents this month were isolated, Gallup said, and concern only one individual.

“After the first incident on Monday, March 2, 2026, the individual was banned from the library and issued a trespass order,” Gallup detailed in her statement letter. “Since the first incident, the individual’s family, village of Clinton Police, and the local schools have worked toward safeguards to help everyone, including the individual, be safe.

“Unfortunately, on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the safeguards were not executed correctly, and the individual made the unfortunate decision to violate his trespass order and entered the library,” Gallup continued. “The police were immediately called when the individual entered the library. The village of Clinton Police were quick to arrive, but, unfortunately, it was after someone got hurt.”

Gallup has been open and willing to share information about how the library responds to such acts of violence inside the public building or on library grounds. For any questions, comments or concerns, Gallup can be contacted via email at director@clinton.lib.mi.us or by calling 517-456-4141.

“I want to ensure the public that we are working with the village of Clinton Police to do everything we can to keep our patrons safe,” she said.

In the aftermath of the March 2 incident in which the juvenile assaulted patrons and a library staff member prior to police intervention, Gallup said she was “disheartened” about the situation, but proud of how quickly and efficiently library staff reacted to the situation.

“The Clinton library has no tolerance for violence or threat of violence,” she said previously. “Staff will continue to have regular discussions and training to help us react accordingly and keep our patrons safe.”