Warren’s Dorothy M. Busch Library is set to return to normal hours on March 17 after three months of closing during after-school hours.

Last November, the Warren Library Commission opted to close the library, located on Ryan Road north of Nine Mile Road, on weekdays between the hours of 2:15-4 p.m. in response to issues with students from Fitzgerald High School and Chatterton Middle School congregating at the library to fight.

According to Deputy Police Commissioner Charles Rushton, there were more than 111 police calls to the Busch Library in 2024.

Since the afternoon closure was implemented, Busch Library and Fitzgerald Schools officials have met and fashioned a plan they believe will curtail disruptive activity by students at the library.

Interim Fitzgerald Public Schools Superintendent Laurie Fournier was not in attendance at the March 13 special Library Commission meeting, but previously made a commitment to have Fitzgerald staff at the Busch Library for a period of time after school lets out. Having school staff present at the library is just one part of the overall plan.

“As it starts out, it is going to be more like monitoring and making sure things stay stable,” said Warren treasurer and Library Commission Trustee Lorie Barnwell. “From there, what they envision is a partnership to have programs for the kids so we will be kicking off some programs for the kids that will be beneficial.”

The Busch Library will also continue its policy of requiring youth entering the library to show their school identification and sign in. An “in-and-out” policy is also being considered which would require students to sign in and sign out when they leave and once signed out, they would not be allowed to re-enter the library that afternoon.

“From an educator’s perspective, the transition period is the worst — from the time that school lets out to the time the students get to where they are going,” said Library Trustee Emma Howard. “That is going to be the hardest part.

“Once people are settled, I think the bad behaviors will subside.”

Since the implementation of the afternoon closure, there have been less than five calls to Warren police for fighting at the Busch Library, according to Barnwell.