The Ottawa Public Library has unveiled a $945,000 plan to improve security measures at its Main branch.
The two-year project will implement an open floor plan in the children’s section of the Metcalfe Street library by lowering shelving height and adding moveable shelves, consolidating the area for bookable public computers and establishing restricted-access spaces for staff.
The changes will reduce restricted sightlines in the children’s section, allow better monitoring of computer activity and prohibit access to staff areas.
The improvements are currently pending board and council approval as part of the library’s 2014 budget process.
According to Ottawa Public Library CEO Danielle McDonald, this plan is necessary because the downtown location “has not had any substantial facility changes in almost 40 years.”
Existing capital accounts and reserves will cover the costs of the proposed changes. Barrhaven Coun. Jan Harder, the library board’s chair, stressed that the renovations will not cause cuts elsewhere in the library’s budget.
According to Harder, an increase in safety-related incidents during the winter at the Main branch spurred the need for improvements. She says problems included public drunkenness, inappropriate language, aggressive behaviour and theft.
In April, the Ottawa police conducted a safety audit identifying the children’s section and the public computer area as spots where crime occurs frequently. This is why the library is “treating these areas with priority,” says Harder.
The police inspector running the report, Chris Rheaume, says cold winter weather caused the jump in incidents.
“It’s a public place,” says Rheaume. “If these (homeless) people have nowhere else to go, they will use this place like it’s their living room.”
In February, a 21-year-old man exposed himself to a girl in the children’s area of the downtown branch. He was charged with exposure to a person under 16, mischief and interfering with enjoyment of property.
Of the library’s 33 branches, the Main branch holds the highest level of reported incidents. According to a report in January, 2011 and 2012 had 68 and 50 reported incidents at the facility. Almost two dozen people were banned in each of those years.
Rheaume says Ottawa police have increased foot patrols and educated staff on security protocols. But he says they haven’t yet solved all security-related incidents at the facility.
“It’s a start,” he said. “We’re working with the library to reduce these.”
Centretown resident Luxshni Kirupakaran says she has concerns with the library’s corners and dead ends, but she’s glad safety is being taken seriously.
“Everyone should be able to feel safe in a family-friendly environment.”