Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Central Library have resumed their normal hours of operation. This comes following the library's recent decision to cut their afternoon hours for two weeks due to patterns of violence from misbehaving teenagers.
"We're excited about it. This has been something that we definitely feel was the right move, but it's something that we're glad can also come to an end," said Library Director John Spears in a WBEN interview.
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Now, the Buffalo Peacemakers will be in the buildings from 2 p.m. to close every weekday.
Spears says the Peacemakers will play numerous roles in the library. Everything from interacting with guests, training and educating staff as well as doing specific programs that the community can engage in.
Spears said the Peacemakers will be working on some specific training with the library staff. "When it comes to the training and the education, they're going to be working with the staff and teaching them the basics of trauma informed care, restorative justice, and how to interact with the public in ways that are going to be more effective."
Spears also points to programs that the Peacemakers will be organizing. "This is something that's going to evolve over time, a lot of it is going to be kind of 'drop in' programs. So it could be something such as crafting, they could be bringing in speakers. I know that they're excited about possibly doing some events that would highlight the talents of the kids as well. Singing or dancing, there's a number of things that are being explored."
The library also hopes this will spark engagement with the youth of the community and help spur ideas as to what the youth wants to see at the library.
Spears adds they will be closing the Ellicott Street entrance weekdays after 3 o'clock.