There has been an increase in incidents at the Williams Lake library impacting workplace safety.
The Cariboo Regional District operates the library and during the board's regular meeting Friday, May 23, CEO Murray Daly and area librarian Jennifer Coupé discussed their concerns with the board.
Staff safety is non-negotiable, Daly said, adding even though security has been on site during operating hours since July 2024, there continues to be an escalation of incidents.
A chart prepared for the board broke down the incidents occurring since January 2024 in a pie graph.
At the top was public intoxication, 29 per cent, verbal abuse and intimidation, 15 per cent, drug and alcohol use, 15 per cent, drug trafficking, 12 per cent, medical emergencies, 10 per cent, unsafe disposal of drug paraphernalia, seven per cent, vandalism, four per cent, violent incidents, four per cent, robbery, two per cent, and trespassing, two per cent.
“The surge in incidents has taken a significant toll on the mental well being of library staff, with many reporting heightened anxiety and fear about the unpredictability of each work day,” noted a written report for the board.
Daly said, with the CRD or library being informed, harm reduction supplies were being distributed outside and then people were coming inside of the library to use them.
Anyone wanting to use the public washrooms in the library now is escorted by a staff member who unlocks the doors for them.
Daly told the board he has met with City of Williams Lake CAO Gary Muraca about the situation because the library is on city property.
Electoral Area D Director Steve Forseth told Daly he would like to see the issue discussed at a joint committee meeting, where representatives from both the city and CRD are present.
Williams Lake Mayor Surinderpal Rathor said he wishes he had a magic wand to deal with what he said is the biggest issue in the city right now.
“I now have evidence from a taxi driver that people are being dropped off and sent with a one-way ticket on E-bus to Williams Lake,” he said. “It’s an issue I’m talking to the Premier and Ministers’ offices.”
Williams Lake is no different than other cities, the mayor added.
“Every day something is smashed or destroyed," Rathor said.
Quesnel Mayor Ron Paull thanked Mayor Rathor for his comments and said he, Paull, has been trying to shed a light on this issue in his community too.
“I was advised and actually shown a video made by residents of a bus dropping off individuals at the arena and those individuals were followed down to Seasons House (Shelter)," he said. “I personally question some of the people out there that I don’t recognize are from Quesnel."
Area librarian Jennifer Coupé said it is challenging.
“The library is for everyone. It’s about the balance. We want to focus on offering items for residents but were are being pulled in different directions.”
Coupe said the incidents ebb and flow and they will have stretches when there are none.
"Everyone is welcome as long as they are respectful," she said.
Electoral Area L director Eric De Vries said he was shocked by the volume of incidents and asked if the province is aware?
"It's our proximity to the downtown and social issues, but it's not just us" Coupe responded. "It's all around the province and all around Canada."
De Vries said it worries him if the purpose of a library is changing to become a social net.
Wells Mayor Ed Coleman said he would like to see some comparative data from businesses or other organizations in the surrounding area.
CRD Chair Margo Wagner said she was glad the information had come to the board, adding she'd hate to see the actions of a few people impact the library's operations.
Daly said they wanted to bring the concerns to the board so it could be aware and let them know staff may be coming forward with further recommendations.
