Latest news with #RichardTogman
CBC
4 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Brodie Library closing doors temporarily
Thunder Bay's Brodie Library will temporarily close its doors this summer to allow for renovations, including improvements to safety and security. The closure begins June 16 and will last until September. "The temporary closure is part of that broader facilities plan," Ruth Hamlin-Douglas, TBPL head librarian, said in an interview at the branch on Thursday, adding that other renovations are also going to be made at other branches, including Waverley Library. However, Brodie Library has seen an escalation in security-related incidents. While all branches are seeing such incidents, TBPL CEO Richard Togman told CBC News in a previous interview, the Waverley and Brodie branches, which are located in the north and south cores, respectively, are seeing the highest number. "A temporary closure at Brodie has been part of the restructuring plans we've been making for the Library system from the start," Togman said in a statement on Thursday. " "However, in light of the increasing and escalating security incidents at the branch, we're adjusting our schedule to prioritize the Brodie changes." The changes include hiring new security staff and altering the layout of Brodie Library. "There will be a circulation desk really much closer to the doors than it is now," Hamlin-Douglas said. "We're looking at a circular desk so that there is better sight lines all around." The main collection will be moved to the upper floor, while the research department will be located on the lower level, Hamlin-Douglas said. "Our map cabinets, our microfilm cabinets, all of that is moving downstairs to where the research folks will be situated," she said. "We're carefully looking at the flow so that, for example, the children's areas might not be right next to the computer area." Staff will remain on the job during the closure. The research department will respond to requests via email, and the Brodie collection will still be accessible through inter-library loan. In addition, staff will receiving training on new customer service and security procedures. "We've been more flexible in the last few years about identification," Hamlin-Douglas said. "We're now requiring that everyone get either a library full library card, or an E-service card, which requires identification, in order to access the computers." "That's because that's where a lot of our incidents stem from," she said. "And often too, when we call the police, we've got a concern if we don't have a name. If I only have a first name for someone, it's not always sufficient to follow through. So we want to make sure we've got better control in that regard and that increases safety for both the staff and the public." "We're also going through and just looking at things like how often are people expected to walk around and check the corners? Where are those cameras placed? So it's no one thing, but it's all the pieces as they come together."
CBC
16-05-2025
- CBC
Thunder Bay library looks to increase security after staff member assaulted
The Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) will be requesting additional funding from the city to improve safety and security after a staff member was assaulted on late Tuesday afternoon at the Brodie Street branch "We had a patron come into the branch who had actually been banned from the building for her behaviour in the past, and had a no trespass order out with the police," library CEO Richard Togman said. "When one of our staff members attempted to call the police to have her removed from the building, she was violently attacked by that member of the public." The staff member received medical attention, and the Brodie Street branch was closed on Wednesday as a result of the assault, giving staff a chance to access mental health support. In an interview with CBC, Togman said the library has seen an increase in security-related incidents including public drug use, intoxication, assaults and threats. "We look at the first quarter of this year compared to the first quarter of last year, we've got a 38 per cent rise in the number of incidents happening at the branches," he said. "That's over 75 incidents just in the first quarter of this year alone, so more than one every single day." Over the past decade, the library saw an average of about 225 incidents annually, Togman said. In 2024, the library saw more than 500. Togman said while all branches are affected, the Waverley and Brodie branches — which are located in Thunder Bay's north and south cores respectively — are seeing the most incidents. "We've for, awhile, tried to handle these matters internally, hired community facilitators to try to de-escalate and mitigate some of the more violent incidents," Togman said. "But at this point, we just don't have the resources to cope with what we're dealing with, and will soon be going to city council to ask for additional funding purely for safety and security upgrades at the library." Those upgrades could include hiring security guards, installing better cameras or changing the layout to allow for better sight lines. "As a system, we're trying to improve our relationships and get involved in some of the task forces around safety and security in the downtown cores," Togman said. "In general, we have a pretty good relationship with the police in terms of them responding to incidents and kind of caring for staff. But knowing that the police are already overstretched in our city, we're not always top priority and we can't always be responded to the fastest." Togman said it is critical the library gets support from council on this issue. Nicole Dalmer, assistant professor in social gerontology in the department of health, aging and society at McMaster University said libraries across Canada are seeing an increase in security and safety incidents. "Public libraries increasingly are trying and are being asked to, I think both implicitly and explicitly, to act as these community hubs," Dalmer said. "I think that's because of a result of so many social services being cut." "This, as a consequence, brings a lot of folks to the library because they might not have elsewhere to go, whether that's seeking assistance with ... needing a washroom, needing someplace that's warm or cold depending on the weather, or just not simply just not having anywhere else to go where there's no expectation of payment." "Library workers are encountering a lot of folks who have a lot of complex and maybe challenging needs." Dalmer said the issue is being discussed by the Canadian Urban Libraries Council, and within larger Canadian public library systems. Underfunding is a major contributor to the problem, she said. "Staff are being asked to do so much, not only in providing access to information services and support, but acting as kind of a frontline worker," she said. She said some public library systems are forming partnerships that see social workers brought into library branches. "With Hamilton Public Library right now, I'm doing a study with them to evaluate their new social work program," Dalmer said. "Part time social workers ... have an office in the central branch, so that if someone's experiencing a moment of crisis, or if it's something that goes beyond the skills and capacities of the library, workers are able to refer them right then and there to a social worker who has that training and those skills to really address what might be happening." Margaret Demillo, president of CUPE Local 3120, which represents about 70 workers at the TBPL, said the union has asked for security guards at branches as a short-term solution, as well as various procedural and policy changes, to increase safety at TBPL branches. Demillo said the local union is going to work on a campaign to support safety in libraries and is hoping to have public support.
CBC
24-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Thunder Bay's federal election candidates share top issues they're hearing about on campaign trail
Affordability and U.S. tariffs were the main concerns shared by voters and candidates alike at Wednesday night's meet and greet in Thunder Bay, Ont., ahead of Monday's federal election. The event was hosted by the Thunder Bay Public Library at its Waverley branch. All candidates from the Thunder Bay—Superior North and Thunder Bay—Rainy River ridings were invited, and all but the Greens attended. It was an informal gathering, where people had an opportunity to speak one-on-one with those vying for their support. "It's an essential part of our democratic mission as a public institution, as the library, as people's real public access to information and knowledge, that we're able to fill this function," said the library's CEO, Richard Togman. "Regardless of political affiliation, orientation, whether you sit left, right, centre on the spectrum, everyone is welcome here at the library, and all of the candidates are welcome to deliver their message to the public and really engage one-on-one with people to decide what's important to them." CBC News asked each candidate at Wednesday night's event to share concerns and issues they're hearing about the most from people in their ridings. What Thunder Bay—Superior North's candidates are hearing For Thunder Bay—Superior North's Liberal incumbent Patty Hajdu, it's "the need for stable, serious and experienced leadership during a time where we're seeing a fracturing with the United States, our closest trading partner." "People really don't want a government that's divisive. They don't want leaders that are pitting us against each other. They want people that can see the promise and potential in all Canadians," she said. Conservative candidate Bob Herman pointed to economic concerns, especially among younger generations. "They're living pay cheque to pay cheque. They have good jobs — sometimes they have more than one job — but they just can't save enough money to buy a house, for example," Herman said. "They're tired of having all these taxes heaped up on them, and they're concerned about their future." The riding's NDP candidate, Joy Wakefield, said U.S. president Donald Trump dominated much of the conversation at the start of the election, but now she's hearing more about housing, health care, infrastructure gaps and reconciliation. "The environment has come up. I've heard about Gaza as well, and affordability is a big one that people are talking about, the cost of groceries, the cost of living," Wakefield said. Amos Bradley of the People's Party of Canada said he's been talking a lot about job security and U.S. tariffs. "They're thinking of their kids and what their kids are going to have in a couple years if the economy is going to continue to get worse," Bradley said. "As far as the tariffs are concerned, open, honest negotiation with the states is the best move." Issues shared with Thunder Bay—Rainy River's candidates In Thunder Bay—Rainy River, Liberal incumbent Marcus Powlowski said residents are worried about the Canada–U.S. trade war. "Overwhelmingly about Donald Trump and concerns about Donald Trump, his openly advocating that we become the 51st state, that kind of economic turmoil that would come out of this kind of behaviour," Powlowski said. The cost of living is another issue that keeps coming up, he added. Similarly, Conservative candidate Brendan Hyatt spoke about tensions between Canada and the U.S. and the ripple effect on the economy. "I think that the things that we really need to focus on is making Canada as a whole, a country where we actually build in this country, and actually find trading partners that are more amenable to working with us," Hyatt said. Yuk-Sem Won of the NDP, who participated in the event by video call, said Canadian unity has been a big theme on the campaign trail, as well as ways to support Canadian businesses and industries. "The second one is the concerns around health care. It's about making sure that there's no cuts to health care and that we continue to expand it," she said. People's Party of Canada candidate Sabrina Ree shared several concerns she's been hearing about, including the ability of young people to buy homes, the impact of the carbon tax on people in the trucking and agriculture sectors, and overall affordability. "The seniors are really, really concerned that they have to make a decision between their groceries or their heating bill, which one to pay," Ree said. Housing, climate change among voter concerns Omotunde Adeniran is completing his PhD at Lakehead University. He said many of his peers have struggled to find accommodation in the city, and he wants to see the next federal government do more to address homelessness. "We need leadership in this country," Adeniran said. For Drake Parr, the housing crisis hits differently. The seasoned carpenter said he cannot afford to buy his own home. "I fix houses all the time, so not being able to afford one at my age is kind of ridiculous, right?" Parr said. "I don't have that kind of money and I don't make that kind of money." Sarah Lewis, who brought her children along with her, said she's concerned about how the rising cost of living will affect their future. "What matters most is building a country that can be a leader in the world again, and really having a region in northwestern Ontario where people are able to have good jobs and to support their families, which I think is a struggle for a lot of people right now," Lewis said. Climate change was another concern raised. Keith Swazey said he wants more done to address the urgency of environmental issues, and sees green energy as a good opportunity to boost the economy. "The way the world [is], this is the biggest economic opportunity we've had in 100 years to change, to move ahead," he said.
CBC
18-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Thunder Bay Public Library prepares massive renovation to children's space at Waverley branch
Amid an "unprecedented demand for children's programming," the Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) is planning a massive renovation at the Waverley Resource Library in Port Arthur. More than 10,000 additional children participated in programming at the Red River Road location last year compared to 2023, said TBPL CEO Richard Togman. "All of our programs for kids are usually booked up through pre-registration weeks ahead of time, and so we're clearly not meeting community demand," Togman said. On Monday, the library announced a massive overhaul to create a 12,000 square-foot Children's Library in the building's lower level, as part of an ongoing multi-million dollar project to renovate the Waverley branch. "We need to fix some of the structural features, for example, an issue with the foundation that potentially can affect the children's area if it's not fixed proactively soon," Togman said. The extra space is being created by the upcoming departure of Anishinabek Employment and Training Services; the organization is vacating both the Waverley and Brodie libraries at the end of May. Having more room means being able to offer more programming, seating areas, community meeting rooms and dynamic play spaces, Togman explained. He attributes the rising demands for the library as a symptom of people's growing desire for community connection, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. "When we look at the amount of community spaces available and especially ones that are safe and educational and really have that good feeling for kids and families, the library is one of the first places people come," said Togman. Meanwhile, as the cost of living continues to climb, being able to access free materials and programming is a game changer for many individuals and families, he added. "People are looking at their pocketbooks and saying, 'well, do I have the money to spend on extracurriculars? Am I going to pay to take my kids to different programming, or take advantage of what my taxpayer dollars already provide in high-quality, free programming at the library?'" Project to take a phased approach While the Children's Library project is still in the design and costing phase, Togman said the City of Thunder Bay is pitching in some money set aside in 2018 to renovate the Waverley branch. Funds from the Friends of the Thunder Bay Public Library 50/50 lottery are also coming into play. "We can't imagine a better use for these funds than in support of a new space for children's programs and books," said Fran Duke, president of the Friends of Thunder Bay Public Library, in a news release issued Monday. "A new Children's Library will benefit the whole community, and we hope Thunder Bay will be as excited as we are to support this plan by buying tickets for the Friends 50/50." The renovations are hoped to begin in the fall or winter and are expected to take several months to complete. However, the work will be done in phases so that the library can remain open, said Togman. In the meantime, he wants the community to remember that people use the library for a diverse range of reasons — from attending programming to borrowing reading materials and even board games. "With economic uncertainty and tough times ahead, I think [it is] really reminding people of the value of the library services that are free, that are open to the public," said Togman.
