Prince Albert Public Library says reduction of hours not in the cards, but safety of residents remains priority

“If we reduce hours, people don’t have the option to drive to another location,” he said, adding social problems observed in the library are not limited to the library and extend to the entire community.

Juorio also noted library administration partners with groups like community safety and well being, Reaching Home, and Catholic Family Services who sometimes operate in the library to assist people in finding housing, getting counseling, and to be placed in front of whatever supports they need.

In 2023 library security had 569 incidents with the public. From those, 56 required a 9-1-1 response. While typically this means police attended, it also counts ambulances being dispatched. While Juorio was not able to provide specific data, he said security guards typically deal with picking up used needles, people who are verbally abusive, and intoxicated people. Noting the challenge that arises with addictions and homelessness, Juorio also confirmed he was well aware the library is visited by families with young children.

“You know that’s probably not the sort of thing you want to expose a young person to because that’s going to be a big learning moment afterwards for even an older child,” he said.

Issues around addictions and homelessness are not isolated to the library. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

And noting there have been minor assaults on security staff a couple of times in the last few years, Juorio confirmed these occurred in the process of evicting intoxicated people.

Among the measures taken last year by the library to reduce public intoxication in the building, and which applies to staff as well, was a no eating or drinking policy in the library.

Guards on duty at the library are dispatched from Custom Security and Investigation across the street from the library and are therefore able to call for backup via radio very quickly.

“We also receive assistance from the Prince Albert Police Service who sometimes park a marked car in the parking lot when doing downtown foot patrols which discourages people who don’t use the library for its intended purpose from entering in the first place,” Juorio said.

Acknowledging people may feel uncomfortable when they enter the library and see homeless people occupying the tables and chairs, Juorio explained the library is a shared space open to the general public.

He noted however that all Saskatchewan public libraries, including Prince Albert’s, have a safe use and conduct bylaw and members of the public who use the library are expected to observe this bylaw.

“The safe use and conduct bylaw is posted in the entrance to the building and available on the library website at the link below. The general intent of the safe use and conduct bylaw is to ensure that everyone can enjoy the library and not be disturbed by someone else’s negative behaviour,” he said.

While the bylaw outlines expectations of the public at length, it has content that impacts homeless people.

For example, sleeping in the building is prohibited because we can’t tell if a person is asleep or in medical distress. Sleeping people will be woken and if the problem persists the person will be asked to leave. Library staff also don’t tolerate intoxication or drug use on the premises, and don’t allow things like bicycles, carts, and similar equipment in the building.

Juorio confirmed that thus far in 2024, they have banned 33 people from the premises. And for those people who have ideas of their own, Juorio said he is always willing to listen.

“I would try just about anything anyone suggested to me that was reasonable if we haven’t done it already We understand this is a problem,” he said.

Community response

Anna Dinsdale, is the Chair of the Chronic Risk Solution forum, which has assigned specific action teams to address specific concerns such as library safety or an excessive amount of garbage piling up on 2nd Avenue West.

“And I think we need to recognize there are a lot of organizations and businesses that are struggling with ways to manage what is ultimately a really complex and difficult problem,” she said.

Dinsdale went on to explain there needs to be a recognition that if we just talk about homelessness, we are ignoring the broader picture which is people experiencing chronic risk and have complex needs like substance use and food insecurity.

The forum which meets every month and is comprised of a broad range of stakeholders, including elected officials, business leaders, and representatives from the police. After an issue is brought to the forum, a smaller action team is created, and they work to create tangible steps.

Examples of their work includes a better communication system between all security companies in the city, and a job squad that will, starting next month, provide employment for people with limited skills. They will be tasked with cleaning up the garbage along 2nd Avenue West.

Another action is working with the YWCA to find a location for a long term shelter. Dinsdale said it feels like people in the city are ready and willing to pull together and find ways to respond to the issues.

“And how do we do that in a way that’s balanced, holding people accountable but also helps to pull together the supports that are needed,” she said.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

– with files from CKOM staff

by Nigel Maxwell

Prince Albert Public Library says reduction of hours not in the cards, but safety of residents remains priority

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