Space for vulnerable folks should be separate from library: councillor

Space for vulnerable folks should be separate from library: councillor

A city councillor says the community connections space, which supports vulnerable people, should eventually be moved out of the downtown Millennium Library.

The space finally reopened late last year after an 11-month closure following the stabbing death of a library patron by a group of teens. The library closed on Dec. 11, 2022, when 28-year-old Tyree Cayer was killed on the main floor of the building.

When the library resumed most services on Jan. 23, 2023, security measures had been bolstered. However, community connections did not reopen with limited hours until Oct. 30, 2023. On Nov. 19 of last year, its hours expanded to match those of the library.

Many advocates have lauded the space as a much-needed resource to help connect vulnerable people with support services for addictions, mental health and poverty.

However, the head of council’s community services committee said he’s concerned that service may not be at the best location.

“It doesn’t have to be at a library. We can have a social services hub set up to provide the same services that are being provided in the library (in another downtown location) … For now, we’re happy to provide that service at the community connections space but that is not a long-term fix. We are not in the social service business in the City of Winnipeg because we simply don’t have the resources and financial support for it,” said Coun. Evan Duncan.

Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) said he’d like the provincial government to fund alternative social services. In the meantime, he’s concerned people who seek help at the library-based site could suffer mental health and addictions crises in a public space and disrupt other patrons.

“Unfortunately, those that are in crisis may have incidents that are out of the norm for people who are just going to participate in a program or take out a book… and then they don’t want to come back because they are scared to come back,” said Duncan.

He said people getting help at community connections could also lack privacy.

“I don’t want anybody who is in crisis or who is experiencing a hardship to feel like they are on display, either. That’s not fair either. Why are we funneling them to a public place? …Give them some human decency and respect. It doesn’t have to be in a library,” said Duncan.

By contrast, many advocates have applauded the space and repeatedly pushed the city to reopen it during its extended closure.

Joe Curnow, a member of the advocacy group Millennium for All, said council must continue to support the space in its current location, deeming it an essential part of ensuring the library can safely serve all Winnipeggers.

“The community connections space is a key piece of the safety strategy. We need that de-escalatory space in the lobby so that people are brought into a welcoming environment. It cannot just move because (that would remove) opportunities for community safety hosts to take people downstairs, to get them the resources they need … It takes away the space of welcome,” she said.

Community safety hosts are trained in both security and trauma-related crisis work.

Curnow said reserving the library solely for traditional book lending and related programs would fail to serve certain groups, including those who live in poverty.

“Libraries are about access to information and (the) community connections space is a really important way that people access information,” she said.

Late in the day, the provincial government released a statement: “Our government provides a number of supports across the city of Winnipeg, including downtown, that help people who are facing mental health and addictions challenges. We appreciate the work the Millenium Library does to ensure there are accessible supports available for people who need them most.”

While the library space only resumed operations a few months ago, a city report offers some initial data on its use. It notes there were 930 visits in November 2023, and 1,274 in December.

Between Oct. 30 and Dec. 31, 2023, community connections staff referred people to resources for food, clothing, addictions support and other needs hundreds of times, including 259 referrals for housing/shelter.

“It is an essential service. It is saving lives,” said Curnow.

City council approved extensive security changes for public libraries last July, which funded 4.2 full-time staff positions and two additional community safety hosts to reopen community connections.

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