Vermont library locking public restrooms because needles are clogging the drains

BURLINGTON, Vt., April 23 (UPI) -- A Vermont library is locking the doors on its public restrooms -- and it’s not because people are bringing in books to read on the toilet.

Burlington's Fletcher Free Library is putting its restrooms on lockdown after having problems with hypodermic needles and other drug paraphernalia clogging the drains.

Once locksmiths complete the transition, patrons will have to trade their library card or ID for a bathroom key.

"We're hoping to have this done by the end of the week, as soon as the locksmith can do the work," head librarian Rubi Simon told the Burlington Free Press.

Despite the nature of the items that have been causing the clogging, Simon said there was no evidence that drugs were being used in the bathrooms or anywhere else in the library.

"Fortunately, we caught it early enough so there was no damage to the bathrooms," Simon said.