Data reveals that when security incidents increase, library employees have been attacked and spat on

Libraries in Canada, once peaceful havens, are now growing more disorderly and potentially hazardous, placing staff in the midst of crisis situations.

Information from CBC News reveals a significant increase in security incidents such as physical assaults, suspected overdoses, and thefts at public libraries in Canada's largest urban centers in recent years.

CBC News gathered information from 11 public library networks throughout Canada over a number of years.

In 2023, Toronto Public Library (TPL) saw a significant increase with 2,334 incidents, which was a 71 percent rise from the previous year's 1,362 incidents according to the data. TPL also saw a five hundred twenty-nine percent rise in the amount of potential overdoses from 2022 to 2023.

A TPL representative stated that the branches in downtown Toronto are experiencing the most noteworthy increases, which are indicative of larger social issues in our communities and public areas.

Although the data from Toronto is remarkable, a similar pattern is occurring in other locations.

Between 2022 and 2023, there was a 21 per cent rise in the number of incidents at the Winnipeg Public Library. In the meantime, Vancouver Public Library experienced a 14 per cent rise, as stated by their records.

Calgary had a consistent incident count per patron visits from 2022 to 2023. Mississauga saw a significant decrease in rates compared to previous years, due in part to the closure of the main branch for renovations from March 2021 to February of the current year.

(Note that each system has its own data, and the definition of a security incident may differ but typically includes suspected overdoses or intoxication, harassment or threats, violence, theft, and/or trespassing.)

Drug and alcohol misuse, including overdoses, appear to be a prevalent occurrence documented in many urban areas.

Siobhan Stevenson, a professor in library and information sciences at the University of Toronto, stated that there is a crisis in Toronto's streets and in communities throughout Canada.

Libraries, being both accessible and without charge, serve as early indicators or warnings like canaries in a mine.

Toronto librarian always on high alert.

CBC interviewed multiple librarians nationwide to gain a deeper understanding of how these statistics manifest in actual situations. A librarian at a Toronto Public Library branch, whose identity CBC News is withholding to protect against potential consequences, noted that employees in heavily impacted branches feel the need to remain vigilant constantly.

At times, she mentioned, "I never thought I would have to dial 911 so frequently."

The librarian reported incidents of individuals throwing books and spitting at staff, engaging in verbal assaults, and some patrons trying to follow staff home. "There is sheer fury being directed at us, and we're right in the middle of it," she mentioned, noting that coworkers have also been physically assaulted.

She said she senses it physically, in her joints and muscles. "It truly wears you down."

These events reflect what is occurring in numerous locations throughout the country.

Earlier in the year, three security guards were stabbed at a downtown library in Edmonton. In response to a deadly stabbing in 2022, the Millennium library in Winnipeg implemented metal detectors and more security guards to address increasing security incidents. The Ottawa Public Library recently requested $3 million for additional security guards.

"People are saying, 'Huh? Are you in a library? Indeed, located at a library. "If it's occurring in a library, then it's occurring everywhere," Stevenson remarked.

During her research, Stevenson has interviewed numerous librarians and library employees regarding their experiences. In a survey of 527 library workers from four major library systems, an astounding 97 per cent reported experiencing violence or incivility while on the job.

Smaller towns also impacted.

Although big cities are hit hard, small towns are also feeling the growing crisis.

Chantelle Taylor, deputy director of Cumberland Public Libraries in Amherst, Nova Scotia, mentioned that they have likely contacted the police more in the past two years than in the last five.

Taylor mentioned that although it is only a small number of occurrences compared to a larger area, there is an increase in the number of people experiencing mental health emergencies. "We are stocking up the food pantry in the foyer." Things are evolving and I don't anticipate improvement in the near future.

She mentioned an increase in vandalism occurrences and noted that a donation box was stolen in the previous year.

The shortage of funding for social programs is highlighted by experts and library employees as a key issue. Libraries serve as the sole free spaces where all individuals, including the city's at-risk population, can seek refuge from extreme weather, utilize the internet, and use public restrooms.

She mentioned that vandalism is occurring more often, and a donation box was taken during the previous year.

Experts and library personnel attribute the issue partly to insufficient funding for social services; libraries serve as the sole cost-free refuges for all individuals, especially the city's most at-risk residents, seeking shelter from extreme temperatures, using the internet, and utilizing public restrooms.

Indeed, on social media sites such as TikTok, there is a plethora of comments discussing how public libraries serve as a crucial support system for numerous individuals.

Thank you for treating people with kindness and respect. Libraries meant a great deal to me during my time experiencing homelessness, as they were a safe haven, stated Marty, a TikTok user.

Stevenson said that library staff can only be expected to do a limited amount.

This issue does not pertain to a library. This is an issue pertaining to politics. This problem is related to society. Stevenson stated that in order to overcome this obstacle, we require the determination to alter our mindset regarding the funding of social services.

The issue is that there are numerous vulnerable individuals, and the library might not be the most suitable answer.

Some libraries in Ontario have already introduced social worker support for library staff, while universities in the United States now provide a dual degree in library studies and social work. According to Stevenson, the key to effectively addressing the issue is for cities and provinces to reinvest in social programs aimed at providing housing and care for Canada's most vulnerable individuals.

Stevenson mentioned that organizations beyond the library require resources to help with the workload.

The City of Toronto told CBC News that it is dedicated to tackling the issues libraries are encountering and highlighted various initiatives in place, such as a collaboration with the Toronto Community Crisis Service.

The city did not specify if there are any intentions to raise funding for social services.

Some claim that management is hesitant to implement changes.

The Canadian Urban Libraries Council created a task force last year to address an increase in security issues, resulting in the development of a "toolkit" that brings together current policies, procedures, and templates used by libraries. CUPE expressed their disappointment in the group for not exploring new initiatives that libraries could implement.

In Saskatoon, a union leader mentioned that management has not adequately addressed the increasing security threats, which is a worry shared by many library staff members nationwide interviewed by CBC.

"For the past two or three years, we have been attempting to implement safety upgrades, but management has consistently been unwilling to cooperate," stated Jeff Bergen, president of CUPE 2669, the union for library employees at Saskatoon Public Library.

Bergan stated that library employees have faced racial slurs, profanity, threats, physical assaults, and an attempted sexual assault, but management has not yet given them whistles or walkie-talkies despite multiple requests. Bergan stated that due to reductions in funding, employees frequently work by themselves as well.

He mentioned that in the past, working alone was not common, but now almost everyone has to work alone, posing a major safety hazard.

Security incidents at Saskatoon Public Library branches increased by 28 percent from 2022 to 2023, as reported by the library's data.

A representative from the Saskatoon Public Library mentioned in a statement that they are in talks with the union to formalize safety measures, such as emergency alarms and a policy to prevent employees from working alone in public areas.

During April, a few Saskatoon Public Library locations adjusted their operating hours to close at 6 p.m. instead of 9 p.m. due to incidents of assault. Employees also acquired phones. Bergen believes that these measures are inadequate because he thinks management is more concerned with safeguarding the library's public image.

Libraries are still considered to be a safe place to go to.

Stevenson stated that the increase in security incidents at public libraries must be dealt with, but it should not instill fear in visitors.

She mentioned that it is a very unfortunate message to gather from all of this because it is not quite like that.

Many libraries have noted that occurrences are infrequent in comparison to the number of individuals utilizing their services.

In 2023, Vancouver reported less than six security incidents per 10,000 visits, while Edmonton recorded 3,452 incidents that year, averaging about eight incidents per 10,000 visits.

An Edmonton Public Library representative told CBC News that although these incidents are only a small percentage of overall visits, the library is not capable of handling social disorder, mental health, and addiction issues.

That is the reason Stevenson emphasized the importance of addressing the issue.

The librarian from Toronto who talked to CBC mentioned that library workers generally enter the profession with the intention of assisting others, but many of the challenges they are facing now are not within their expertise, leading them to struggle.

The librarian clarified that they were not social workers. The most frustrating thing is the realization that we simply cannot please everyone.