WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - The sidewalk and side entrance to the Westfield Athenaeum are blocked off on Wednesday afternoon due to a black bear in the area.

The Westfield Athenaeum shared on social media at approximately 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday that a black bear was sunning itself in a tree near the children's library entrance. As a result, the Court Street entrance and the nearby sidewalk have been blocked off for visitor safety until the bear has evacuated the area.

Westfield Police Captain Steve Dickinson told 22News that officers closed off the area with tape due to the bear sighting. The library said that patrons can enter through either the main or rear entrances. If you encounter a bear in the area, do not approach it or start running, and slowly back away.

WWLP-22News, an NBC affi

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