NEW CASTLE, Pa. - After being closed since Thursday, New Castle Public Library is welcoming people back, but with some extra security in place.

The temporary closure stemmed from concerns over posts made on Facebook by the head of the Constitution Party of Lawrence County. 

“We were made aware of some potential threats being made on social media towards the library,” said Steven Brooks, Lieutenant at the New Castle Police Department.

One Facebook post reads  "Epstein Island is right here in the City of New Castle Library."

Another is a video recorded by party chairman Bill Messner speaking to library employees after being banned. The video also shows an officer asking him to leave.

Lieutenant Branddon Hallowich told 21 News library director Andrew Henley reached out after hearing concerns from his staff.

Hallowich also said the man making the comments online took issue with some of the LGBTQ+ content in the library. 

The Library closed on Thursday, and is now reopened with additional security. One patron said she wishes it didn't have to come to this.

“I'm glad that there is security on one hand, and I'm sad that we have to have it,” said Alison McNeal of New Castle. ”I want the people that work here to feel safer and have comfortable surroundings.”

Police are now working with the library to provide security while they investigate the alleged harassment.

“They're hiring officers for an extra detail so those officers will be exclusively at the library during the times,” said Brooks.

Police say the additional security measures will be there at least for the remainder of the week. After that, they will re-evaluate to see if security is still needed. Police also say while there were no direct threats, Messner is permanently banned from the library.

21 News reached out to Henley and Messner, but did not hear back.