An 18-year-old is facing charges after police say he sexually assaulted a 7-year-old girl he was tutoring at the Port Washington Library.

Investigators say Taylor Lindberg abused the child on two separate occasions, once last Monday and again this past Monday. Police arrested Lindberg on Tuesday.

The allegations have left many people in the community stunned, especially longtime residents who say they have always viewed the library as a safe place for children.

“I am in absolute shock that something like this would happen in this town,” said Olivia Kalash.

“It shows anything can happen at any time, any place, no matter how sweet and charming the people seem to be,” Dayna Hausspiegl said.

Neighbors who grew up going to the library say the accusations are especially disturbing due to them going to the library a lot themselves as kids, and even as adults.

“I used to love it and I felt safe. My parents would drop me off and not think anything of it. The fact that it could’ve been me is very disturbing,” Kalash said.

“I used to tutor at the library when I was in high school, and I went there growing up as a kid. So imagining both sides of that is unfathomable,” she said.

Lindberg has pleaded not guilty to three charges of sexual abuse and one charge of endangering the welfare of a child.

He is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday, May 27.

Keith Klang, the Port Washington Library director, issued the following statement:

We are very distressed about incidents reported to have occurred in the Library on Monday, May 11th, and Monday, May 18th. The Library was first made aware of these allegations on Monday, May 18th. The police were contacted immediately, and we are taking this situation extremely seriously. The suspected individual was a volunteer tutor, not an employee of the Library, and has been banned from the premises. The Port Washington Public Library values the health and safety of all our patrons, especially children, and is thoroughly reviewing our safety protocols. The Library cannot comment further on an active investigation and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement regarding the situation.