Edmonton library expanding Safe Communities outreach program

When Pamela Rogers and her son walked through the doors of Edmonton's Stanley Milner library, they did something they hadn't been able to do for months: they slept.

"We were living in Churchill Square for two months and it was just, you know, constantly one eye open, waiting," said Rogers, 49.

"We basically slept from nine til nine because we were so tired."

A few weeks later, she discovered Edmonton Public Library's support extended far beyond a safe, warm place to sleep. 

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The library's Safe Communities program also connected her with an outreach worker to help her house hunt and find a physician.

Those were the kind of tasks "we didn't have a clue" about," Rogers said.

"I feel a lot more positive about it. It's not exactly bleak anymore."

More help on the way

After three years, the program that helped Rogers is now expanding.

EPL is hiring a third social worker. The trio will rotate between five satellite branches frequented by marginalized clients – Sprucewood, Strathcona, Woodcroft, Abbotsfield and Highlands. 

"The whole time we've been in operation, we've got calls from other branches in every single part of the city," said outreach worker Jared Tkachuk, who has been with the program since the start.

EPL first launched the initiative in 2011 with a $605,402 grant from the provincial government. It proved successful, with staff seeing up to 50 people a day – connecting clients with everything from mental health services to high-school
completion.

Library management estimates the program saves the city about $3.5 million each year, in costs including ambulance and police services. Other benefits are harder to measure. 

 "We do a lot of what I call trying to help restore dignity for people," Tkachuk said.

"We listen to them tell jokes or cry or tell us about what's going on in their lives, and just try to build up a sense of hope in them," he said.

'Amazing' services highlight government gap

In March, the provincial grant money ran out but staff were determined to keep the program going.

Pilar Martinez, EPL's deputy chief executive officer, said they found the money within their own budget, cutting one senior position and reducing the library's equipment fund.

"I think we felt that in terms of priorities, this was a much higher need," said Martinez.

She doesn't think it comes at any sacrifice to the library's traditional services, suggesting it is a natural extension.

"Libraries have evolved over the last many decades," she said. "It really is information. It's a different type of expert that's providing that information and support so it aligns very, very well with what we're already doing."

Youth worker Mark Cherrington with Legal Aid Alberta praised EPL for the "amazing" social services and inclusive public space it provides.

But he said the services also show the extent of cuts made to resources for those most in need by provincial and federal governments.

We've moved from a system where the community and government took responsibility for the social safety net to more of a charity model, Cherrington said.

"Where you know, it's not our problem – let's hope this church or this library or this drop-in-centre can provide basic needs. Which in my view, is traditionally the role of the government." 

The library aims to have the expanded program in place by the new year.