Durham County Main Library evacuated because of bomb threat before LGBTQ story hour

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Durham County Main Library was evacuated as a precaution Saturday morning because of a bomb threat. It happened just before a story hour hosted by an LGBTQ organization began.

At about 10:30 a.m., Durham police officers responded to a report of a bomb threat at the library on the 300 block of N. Roxboro Street.

The 'Rainbow Story Time' hosted by Rainbow Collective for Chance was set to begin at 11 a.m. It had to be canceled because of the threat.

DPD officers and the Durham County Sheriff's Office's bomb dog searched the building for threats but found nothing.

The organization Rainbow Collective for Change made a statement in response to the incident. On Facebook, the organization said: "We were not notified by the police or the library that the bomb threat was made explicitly due to our Rainbow Story Time. We learned this through a news article and have since confirmed that a bomb threat was made towards our Rainbow Story Time at the library."

Our news-gathering partners with the News and Observer reported that the library's director Tammy Baggett said the threat was sent to a Charlotte TV station. It specifically mentioned the author whose book was to be read during the story hour.

Baggett said the library did not receive a direct threat itself, but was informed by Durham police, News and Observer reported.

In its statement, Rainbow Collective for Change said:

"RCC has been hosting monthly Rainbow Story Times and other events for 2 years now and this is our first experience with a serious threat...We will continue to advocate for LGBTQIA+ and gender-affirming schools and build community spaces where our children can be who they are and celebrate that love makes a family. We - together with RCC families and partner organizations -- will not let hate win and will continue advocating for a safe and affirming community that all our children deserve."

The library is closed for the rest of the weekend and reopen on Monday; the library said on social media.