Violence in libraries is on the rise across Canada. How London, Ont. is responding

It's been almost a year since the London Public Library had a full-time social worker at its Central branch and Elizabeth Sutter said it's "definitely" had an impact.

As libraries across Canada see an uptick in violence, the London Public Library is taking a compassion-first approach through a dedicated social worker for the downtown branch.

The random acts of violence happening on our streets and in our transit systems in cities across Canada are also making their way into public libraries, with branches of all sizes reporting a rise in verbal and physical violence, Global News’ The New Reality reported earlier this week.

In London, a social worker has been brought in full-time at the LPL’s Central branch in the city’s core. When Elizabeth Sutter began working at the library in 2021, community wellness workers were scheduled at the library on a weekly basis. As of June 2022, a social worker has been working full-time.

Sutter, manager of customer services and branch operations, said since a social worker began full-time in June 2022, she has “definitely” seen an impact.

“What we learned the most through this is how important relationship-building is.”

Experts say libraries are a reflection of the world around them. And society’s problems are finding their way inside their doors.

With cuts to social services often vulnerable people have nowhere to turn. Public libraries, by their very nature, are committed to being welcoming and inclusive.

“People are coming into the library and they have really significant needs,” says Siobhan Stevenson, a professor with the Faculty of Information at the University of Toronto.