Workers raise concerns as Saskatoon Public Library temporarily closes 2 branches to public
CBC
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, the CUPE Local 2669 president who represents library staff, said in a statement that 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.
Heisler wrote that police are often called to library branches in the core and that more needs to be done to improve employee safety.
"Some workers are afraid to go to work and many have varying degrees of anxiety stemming directly from their workplaces," Heisler wrote.
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."
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