| Craig Mozhdehi

The Lakeland Public Library on Lake Morton and the adjoining coffee shop reopened shortly after 11 a.m. today after being evacuated because of a bomb threat. A man who made threats after being asked to leave was taken into in custody and police searched the building “in an abundance of caution,” the Lakeland Police Department said.

Across the parking lot from the library, the Polk Museum of Art closed to the public temporarily and students at Lakeland Montessori Middle School there were kept inside the building until the search was completed.

Police sent in bomb-sniffing dogs after the threat was made around 8:50 a.m. and followed up with a robot operated by the bomb squad, police spokeswoman Robin Tillet said.

Police cars are blocking Palmetto Street near the Lakeland Public Library. | Craig Mozhdehi

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Barry Friedman founded Lkldnow.com in 2015 as the culmination of a career in print and digital journalism. Since 1982, he has used the tools of reporting, editing and content curation to help people in Lakeland understand their community better.

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