forbes library

Forbes Library.

(The Republican file)

A 66-year-old man paid a $125 fine on Monday, settling a disorderly conduct charge after he admitted to publicly masturbating in Forbes Library in November.

On Nov. 2, a woman reported seeing a male patron masturbating in an aisle while watching a woman through the bookshelves to a Forbes Library employee.

The employee then called police.

When an officer arrived at the West Street library, the man was still there, "sitting on top of a stool looking through a shelf of books."

The officer approached, identifying the man as Stephen P. Graves of Northampton, noting in a report on the incident how Graves "became extremely nervous and apologetic."

Graves reportedly admitted to touching himself for an hour while looking at a woman through the bookshelves. He added that "he was sorry and that he would leave immediately," according to the police report.

Graves was issued an official notice of trespass from the library as well.