Big drop in unsafe incidents at city-run libraries

The number of unsafe incidents at Winnipeg public libraries declined in recent months, with an especially steep drop at the downtown branch.

Total incidents fell by 23.7 per cent (to 293 from 384) across all Winnipeg public libraries between July and September, compared to the same months last year.

That number plummeted by 57.4 per cent for the Millennium Library, to 90 from 211, during the same period.

The incidents count everything from assaults and alcohol use to medical episodes and internet misuse.

Coun. Vivian Santos, charwoman of council’s community services committee, said library staff believe the decline is linked to fewer visitors at the downtown library.

“They’re assuming that because transit is no longer on Graham (Avenue), there’s less foot traffic, so there’s less people attending Millennium Library. There is a… reduction in the visitors to the library, which they believe correlates to the reduction of incidents,” said Santos.

At the end of June, the city implemented a new primary transit network, that eliminated the major transit corridor on Graham Avenue.

Millennium Library visitor counts fell by 18.5 per cent in the third quarter of this year, compared to July through September in 2024, the incident report notes. There were 91,457 visitors to Millennium during that quarter of this year, down from 112,181 during the same stretch of 2024.

Overall library attendance dropped slightly, by 0.7 per cent, over the same period.

The report also notes the library “continues to work on rebuilding customer trust with improved safety measures” and a metal detector remains in place.

A request to interview the city’s manager of library services was not granted on Wednesday.

Both Santos and a city spokesperson said it’s unclear if the drop in incidents will continue.

“Safety incidents inside the library can be related to safety issues in the wider community, so it is difficult to speculate about long-term trends,” wrote city spokeswoman Pam McKenzie, in an email.

She said safety measures added in recent years, which also included hiring more security guards and community safety hosts, are “crucial” to maintaining safety in libraries.

City staff are recommending the next public report on library incidents, which will provide data for October through December, be the last one released.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500, which represents city library staff, could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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