The Beaches branch of the Jacksonville (Fla.) Public Library closed July 5 so police could investigate a violent attack on a security guard as he inspected the building early that morning. Richard Hayward, who was unarmed, was knocked unconscious after being hit on the head twice with a blunt object, police said; he then lay bleeding for about three hours before library staff arrived at work, the Jacksonville Times-Union reported July 8.
Police, alerted that an alarm had gone off about half an hour before Hayward arrived at 5:25 a.m., found no signs of a break-in and all the doors were still locked when officers checked the building.
Library staff suspected the attacker hid in the library when it closed. Hayward was listed in fair condition at a local hospital later that day. The library reopened to the public July 6.
Posted July 17, 2000.