The Boulder Main Library was cleared out Monday evening after staff reported a suspicious package, according to officials. Patrons and employees were ushered outside while emergency crews moved in to secure the scene. No injuries were reported in the initial notice from authorities.
According to Denver7, police said that a little after 5 p.m., the library was closed and evacuated "to err on the side of safety for our community." Boulder police and fire units responded to the Main Library and set up a perimeter as they began checking out the item.
Where it happened
The library's main branch is at 1001 Arapahoe Avenue in downtown Boulder, according to the library's official site. The building houses the district's largest public spaces and event rooms and typically draws steady evening foot traffic, which can make any emergency evacuation a more complicated affair.
Bomb-squad response
Denver7 also reported that the bomb squad was called in and that police expected the check of the package to take "a few hours" before the area could be fully cleared. Officials asked the public to steer clear of the immediate area while technicians used specialized equipment to examine the item.
Local context
Earlier this month, a separate call in south Boulder, where firefighters found what was described as a suspicious package during a condo fire, also brought a bomb-squad response, according to Hoodline reporting on the bomb-squad to the south Boulder condo blaze. Those incidents highlight how bomb technicians and hazmat teams can be tied up for hours when these calls come in.
City and library officials said the investigation was still underway and that more information could be released once authorities finish their evaluation. This article will be updated as officials provide further details.
