Workers raise concerns as Saskatoon Public Library temporarily closes 2 branches to public

Aggressive incidents against library staff have forced two Saskatoon branches to move to contactless delivery until the end of February.

As of Wednesday, people can pick up items on hold, or COVID-19 test kits but can't browse at the Frances Morrison Central Library and the Dr. Freda Ahenakew Library.

The Saskatoon Public Library system said there have been "complex patron issues" over the last several weeks that need to be resolved.

"There has been some aggression towards employees and among patrons," Saskatoon Public Library board chair Brett Bradshaw told CBC Radio's Saskatoon Morning. "We're just looking for ways to make the library safer."

Rhonda Heisler, a national CUPE service representative for the library workers, said safety concerns have become a serious problem.

Incidents include everything from an attempted abduction of an employee leaving work at night to a library worker being punched in the face when they asked a patron to wear a face mask, according to the statement.

LISTEN |  Brett Bradshaw, chair of the Saskatoon Library board, speaks about the issues:

Heisler said that police are often called to library branches in the core and that more needs to be done to improve employee safety.

"Violence and harassment in library branches is certainly not a new problem," she said.

"But we think just because of the increased stressors on Saskatoon residents during the pandemic and the lack of places for them to congregate and go, a lot of these stressors are exacerbating the issues of harassment and violence."

Heisler said she'd like additional safety measures put in place in libraries across the province, including physical barriers to protect workers, panic alarms and more security officers trained in de-escalation.

There needs to be long-term funding for proper security measures in the library system, she said.

"We need long-term solutions."

Police calls

Saskatoon police said they and community support officers are regularly called to the library to deal with issues, but that they have not heard of any increase in concern lately.

Meanwhile, Bradshaw said some furniture is being moved and washrooms are being checked to try and make the library safer.

The library has also temporarily removed benches in front of the Frances Morrison Central Library and that Wi-Fi has been shut off so people don't congregate outside.

Bradshaw said the situation is not limited to the library, and many organizations throughout downtown Saskatoon are also experiencing more negative activity, especially since the start of the pandemic.

"Our community partners are seeing the same kind of complex social, mental health and health issues that we're encountering as well," she said.

"So we're not really feeling that it's a library issue, but a larger issue in our city." 

Bradshaw said library staff are trained in some basic forms of conflict resolution and social workers regularly use library branches for outreach. However, she said as conflict increases, the board felt the need to take a break to regroup.

The Frances Morrison Central Library is one of several warm-up centres in the downtown used by people to escape cold weather. Bradshaw said people will need to find somewhere else for now.

"It definitely wasn't a decision we took lightly," she said.

"We're so aware that it's a really welcoming refuge for for so many people. But during this time, you know that that isn't going to be available to people, unfortunately."

The library is expected to return services to normal at the two branches on Feb. 28.