A library in Clarence Valley in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, has had it with the kids these days and they’re turning to music for help. No, they’re not going to change the way they view the world through the power of jazz, they’re gonna blast tunes at them until they go away.

As the Daily Examiner reports, the disruptive behaviour of local teens at Grafton Library has already led to the banning of five young people from the area and special training for library staff. The teens, many underaged, have been smoking in the forecourt and damaging the gardens with their skateboards.

There’s also been cases of vandalism, including teens setting off soda bombs, graffiti, and damage to air conditioning units. Just why did these underaged trouble-makers decide to turn Grafton Library into their preferred hangout? They like using the library’s free WiFi.

Now the Daily Examiner is reporting Tuesday’s Clarence Valley Council Environment, Planning and Community Committee meeting approved a report noting council was taking measures to deal with anti-social behaviour inside and outside the building by deploying music to control the teens.

Of the measures proposed to deal with the youngsters was the installation of a sound system and speakers that would blast classical or easy listening music. Meanwhile, the council’s Director of Environment, Planning and Community Des Schroder said Council might require authentication to use free WiFi at the library.

Mr Schroder said no decision had been made on whether music would be played or what the solution might be. “We know Rockdale council in Sydney had similar problems in one area and used Barry Manilow songs on an endless loop, and the problem youth moved on,” he said.

“If we do it we’ll need to find something the target demographic doesn’t like. For mine, Barry Manilow fits the bill,” Mr Schroder added. The report indicated that while public order issues inside the library were now under control, problems persisted outside of the library.

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