Prince George Public Library (PGPL) staff, management and board are speaking out in response to two Prince George Citizen articles detailing the challenges faced by library workers at the downtown branch of the library.
Like other organizations and businesses in the community, and in communities across North America, the library is dealing with a variety of social issues that present risks to the safety of staff members and library patrons. Despite these challenges, library management, board, and CUPE 4591 members representing library employees are focused on the collaborative approach adopted to resolve health and safety concerns.
“The safety of our staff and patrons is our highest priority,” said PGPL Library Director Paul Burry, in a news release. “As outlined in the Citizen article of July 14, library management have worked with staff and WorkSafe BC to implement a variety of practical safety measures over the past several years, to minimize the risk of harm to staff. These include recruiting additional staff, adding safety equipment like portable radios and respirator masks, and providing additional training in violence prevention and clean-up of potentially hazardous substances.”
The Citizen article quoted a WorkSafeBC report outlining some of the hazards faced by library staff. WorkSafeBC inspections conducted in May and June found that Prince George Public Library staff, including management and security personnel, were at risk of violence and exposure to biological and drug-related chemical hazards.
The initial WorkSafeBC inspections at the Bob Harkins branch of the library on May 4 and May 10 were prompted after one or more workers refused to work in unsafe conditions, following an incident in the library bathrooms on April 26.
“Based upon my review of the employer’s 2022 incident reports, I note that workers are exposed to frequent and undue levels of violence at this workplace. Nine incidences of violence have been recorded,” occupational safety officer Steven Goodall wrote in his May 10 report. “When I asked if the refusal of unsafe work was ongoing, a worker provided a statement that the security personnel were not conducting work relating to the washrooms at the workplace, and that management personnel had assumed the responsibilities of attending the washrooms for ‘wellness checks.’”
Darcie Smith, Collections and Interlibrary Loans Librarian, member of the joint health and safety committee, and CUPE 4951 Unit Chair said: “Our focus on the joint health and safety committee is to help foster a culture that encourages library staff to bring safety concerns forward to be addressed, and to adopt improvements to the library’s policies, procedures, and other safety measures that help minimize the risks to staff and patrons. I also believe we have a responsibility, as a pillar in our community, to take a leadership role in supporting the City of Prince George’s commitment to fostering a safe, accessible, and inclusive community.”
Lily Bachand, President of CUPE Local 4951 emphasizes their support of the library’s efforts, saying that “libraries are more than just books; they deliver front-line services in our community. The library and its workers continue to discuss measures to best serve our community’s needs, and to uphold high standards for safety in our spaces while doing so. Workers are pleased with the library’s commitment to keeping the union and its members informed as it evolves its practices, and we will continue to work collaboratively to maximize service and safety to the public.”
PGPL Board Chair Mike Gagel reiterates that the library’s mission is to build community resilience by creating welcoming and inclusive spaces for every person to read, connect, and share.
“This includes building inclusive and respectful spaces for members of marginalized or underrepresented groups,” he said. “From a board perspective, accessibility is paramount and we are working to remove and reduce all kinds of barriers to access so that everyone in our community is able to safely, and fully enjoy and benefit from what the library offers.”
PGPL will continue to work together with the municipality, community agencies, and local businesses to develop and implement sensible solutions to these challenges, including through active participation in the City’s Select Committee on a Safe, Clean and Inclusive Community.