Millennium Library closure extended to middle of January to allow for safety audit, potential lobby redesign

The Millennium Library will remain closed for patron visits until the middle of January, while the City of Winnipeg conducts a safety audit of the downtown facility and considers a redesigned lobby.

The city's flagship library closed on Dec. 11 after Tyree Cayer, 28, was stabbed to death on the main floor of the downtown facility. Four youths have been charged in his death.

Library users will be able to make returns and pick up holds again at Millennium starting Friday as part of a phased reopening, the city says, but visitors won't be able to enter the branch for now.

Mayor Scott Gillingham has said the library won't reopen until some form of additional security is in place, but there are no guarantees airport-style searches involving bag checks and metal detectors will return to the entrance near the intersection of Donald Street and Graham Avenue.

Those measures were introduced at the library in 2019, but were scrapped after backlash from community members.

"We have the need to strike a balance that may not be the same balance that is struck at a Liquor Mart or going into a Jets game," Winnipeg's chief administrative officer Michael Jack said Thursday.

He said all options are on the table, but ensuring the safety of library staff is of the utmost importance.

"We need our staff to feel safe. We need our staff to be safe. That really is paramount. But at the same time, we want a library that's accessible for all," Jack said.

City staff are now trying to hash out a new security plan with the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500, which represents library workers, and representatives from a citizen working group.

CUPE president Gord Delbridge is satisfied with the process and appreciates the communication lines are open with Gillingham and Coun. John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry), who also chairs the standing policy committee on community services.

"There's a lot of discussion that needs to be had and I think that there's going to be maybe some stages, and I hope there's an ability to evolve and adapt with what's needed on a go-forward basis," Delbridge said.

The city is also starting a comprehensive risk assessment and safety audit of the library and will look at making changes to its layout.

Jack said that might include a permanent redesign of the lobby with a controlled environment without the use of hostile architecture, but he was light on specifics.

"With the wide-open access that currently exists as you enter the library, we know we likely need some kind of configuration that doesn't just allow for a completely unimpeded free-for-all," Jack said.

This includes potential interaction with people as they enter the library.

Regardless of the changes that are made with beefed-up security measures or physical alterations to any of the library's front entrance, lobby or staffing areas, Orlikow said the committee might have to ask for more funds.

"Some of the ideas are quite intense, take up a lot of resources we don't have," Orlikow said. "So we're going to have to ask council for a motion to spend more money."

Jack said the entire layout of the library is under the microscope, but that there are "some items that are absolutely going to require some money."

Since the city's flagship library temporarily closed, there has been an uptick in patronage at other city libraries. Jack said St. Boniface Library has seen the biggest rise in traffic.

"This library is important to people, and people who love the library, love the library," Jack said. "And if they can't go to Millennium, then it's just logical that they're going to find another outlet."

There is no definitive full reopening date for the Millennium Library.

The library lobby will stay open to provide access to the parkade and downtown's weather-protected walkway system, and to provide a space for members of the public to warm up during periods of cold weather, the city said.