We have SO much fun in libraries....

Last nite a patron was using one of the pay phones in the main elevator lobby of the library. Five police officers showed up and attempted to arrest him. He sprayed the officers with his personal can of pepper mace and fled. Several officers, those who could do so, pursued, but did not apprehend him.

It turns out he was talking to his estranged or ex-wife on phone, and there was a restraining order on him contacting her. She had the call traced and kept him talking (gee, just like kidnap movies on TV). The officers arrived and struck out. Of course he is now wanted not just for violating a restraining order, but for assaulting five of Boise's finest.

The custodial staff was NOT happy about having to clean up all the pepper mace, etc, but such is life. At least he's not on the library's black list. He has no books checked out, none overdue, and no fines accumulated. Guess he isn't a COMPLETELY bad guy. Of course maybe he just can't read.

P. S. This afternoon several library staff were wondering if they would try to apprehend him in class, in case he's dumb enough to go to his regular classes. We then started thinking of WHICH class we wish they would catch him in...and which prof might get maced. the list started with some of the chronic offenders...the profs who won't return recalled books, the profs who put a hundred books on reserve but never assign them, and so forth....