BAKERSFIELD -- Residents in northeast Bakersfield are upset and questioning why a teenager would vandalize their local library branch.

The act of vandalism took place around 2 a.m. Sunday, when a 16-year-old boy used a cement sewer cover to smash the exterior windows of the library.

According to police, the boy, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time, also knocked over bookshelves and used several fire extinguishers to spray fire retardant all over the library.

Today, the library branch on Columbus and Oswell remains closed. Dusty retardant residue remains on many of the books and desks inside the library. Library staff are unsure of when the branch will be re-opened.

Many library patrons who came back to return books were outraged that someone would vandalize the library.

Patrons can leave their used books at the library book drop or renew them on the Kern County Library website at www.kerncountylibrary.org.