Latest news with #TBPL
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Indigenous training group upset with Thunder Bay, Ont., library after lease ends
Social Sharing An Indigenous community group is questioning the Thunder Bay Public Library's (TBPL) commitment to reconciliation after the library ended a partnership and lease agreement in May. The TBPL says it was a straightforward decision to make space for programming, and that it is committed to positive relationships with the Indigenous community. The Anishinabek Employment and Training Services (AETS), works on improving the skills and employment opportunities for Indigenous people on behalf of nine First Nations in the region. Sharon Ostberg, a board member of AETS, said the library first approached the group about a partnership in 2018, offering space in the basement of its Waverley branch. "We would of course have to retrofit it at our cost," she said. "We agreed, and we did spend over $1,000,000 in retrofitting the basement level of the library in order to accommodate our our staff and our programs." The renovations included the addition of washrooms, a boardroom and a kitchen, as well as electrical upgrades and ventilation. Ostberg said the lease initially included first right of refusal to purchase the Waverley branch building, if it were to be put up for sale. AETS, Ostberg said, used the space for program delivery. "We needed more space because we took on more programs," she said. "So we rented the Brodie Street basement and and did some retrofits there, because at the time the library didn't know where they were going, what their future held." Library ended lease to deal with shortage of space says CEO The initial 2018 lease with AETS, library CEO Richard Togman said, was for three years, and it was initially signed before he came on board as CEO. That was extended twice, with each extension being for one year. "During those extension periods, that's when the library was going through its whole master facilities plan and was obviously advocating at the community that we needed more space, that we were undersized and we were hoping we were going to get a central library location," he said. "We were very clear with everyone involved that we didn't have a surplus of space and we were hoping that a new central library would give us the space we needed." The proposed central library, which would have been located at Intercity Shopping Centre, was ultimately voted down by city council. "Effectively we went back to the drawing board, looked at our internal spaces, and where we can get the physical square footage we need to do work around things like improving children's programming and opening up more meeting rooms to the community, and just generally being able to expand our book collection. All the core library things that we do," he said. "And at that time, we realized that the relationship with AETS wasn't meeting the objectives that had originally been part of the lease agreement." Togman said the library had support from its former senior advisor for Indigenous relations in ending the lease. "We gave them a generous notice period of almost seven months to let them know that we needed the space back for the library," Togman said. "We had obligations to the community, and legally we can only lease out space if it's deemed surplus by the library system." "At that point, it was obvious that it was not surplus. We were really tight on square footage." 'Missed opportunity': AETS board member says "To me, this was a very missed opportunity by both the city and the library board, because they had, you know, a native organization right at their doorsteps working with them," Ostberg said. "It doesn't sit well with the Indigenous people and it does definitely does not sit well with our nine First Nations." Togman said while he can't directly speak on the initial lease as it came about before he was CEO, "my understanding of the intent at the time was that they were going to be a lot of joint programming, and a kind of gradual integration of the organizations." "It was going to result in them promoting library services in the Indigenous community and kind of a lot of multifaceted aspects in that respect." However, an analysis done by the library showed the project wasn't working out as intended. "It wasn't furthering the library schools of reconciliation with the community," Togman said. "They were still very two separate organizations with different mandates. And as time evolved, that became more and more apparent." Regarding the renovations, Togman said the lease agreements stated AETS would not receive any compensation or reimbursements for any improvements they made to library spaces. "From the library's perspective, we're committed to honouring our agreements and upholding all of the legal obligations we have when we make commitments to other organizations, and we've upheld every commitment under the terms of the lease," he said. Togman said the library is working hard on efforts around reconciliation and programming that serves the Indigenous community. He also noted that the library has appointed the next senior advisor of Indigenous relations, Stephanie MacLaurin.
CBC
3 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
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.
CBC
07-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
Partners in Thunder Bay, Ont., look to educate public, engage businesses as tariff threat looms
Social Sharing As Canadians grapple with how a potential trade war with the U.S. could affect them, the Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) is looking to bring the conversation to the local level. The library is hosting a panel discussion called "Tariffs and Turmoil: What Trump's Trade War Could Mean for You." The goal is to educate community members about the impact of potential tariffs in Thunder Bay, and how they can prepare ahead of time. "It was really important for us as a major public institution and a source of community trust to come out with some real information," said the TBPL's CEO, Richard Togman. On Saturday, U.S. president Donald Trump imposed a 25 per cent additional tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, as well as an extra 10 per cent tariff on imports from China. Energy resources in Canada would also see a 10 per cent tariff. The U.S. administration said the purpose of the tariffs was to prevent illegal immigration and drug trafficking across the border. After speaking with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday — who committed to ramp up Canada's $1.3 billion border security plan — the Trump administration decided to pause the tariffs for 30 days. The TBPL panel discussion will feature: Karl Skogstad, associate professor of economics at Lakehead University. Toby Rollo, associate professor of political science at Lakehead University. Sarah Lewis, senior manager of economic advisory at Deloitte. Charla Robinson, president of the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce. "A lot of people don't have access to university-level professors or get to talk directly to the president of the chamber of commerce," said Togman. "It was a really amazing opportunity for us to connect directly with local people in our region and get some experts to explain to them, at the level of everyday people, what this actually might mean." 'There are winners and there are losers' Much of the tariff concerns in northern Ontario have revolved around the impact on the softwood lumber industry, as well as brewing companies and exporters that send almost all their goods to the U.S. The cost of living is another concern shared among Thunder Bay residents. WATCH | Thunder Bay shoppers share tariff concerns Thunder Bay shoppers share tariff concerns 4 days ago Duration 1:08 Skogstad, one of the panelists at next week's event, is currently teaching a course on international trade. The tariff threat has sparked many conversations with his students. "I think having the opportunity to actually sit down and even talk to someone about it in a familiar environment, this could be a lot more reassuring and a lot more informative than trying to work your way through a number of different articles and videos online, not knowing what to trust and what to believe," Skogstad said of the upcoming library panel. Drawing on his own expertise, Skogstad said consumers should be prepared for higher prices for goods purchased from the U.S., while keeping in mind products assembled in Canada with parts imported south of the border. As for industries, he said firms will have to consider their vulnerability to tariffs and what they can do to remain competitive. Retaliatory tariffs, and the low value of the Canadian dollar, may work in their favour, he added. "Whenever you move from restricted trade to free trade or free trade to restricted trade, there are winners and there are losers in that process," Skogstad said. "We can't necessarily claim everybody's better off or everybody's worse off." When it comes to the push to buy Canadian goods, Skogstad said that while consumer choices are always driven by prices, patriotism is also playing a role. "Consumers will continue to look at the prices trying to get the best deal, and that might mean just naturally buying more Canadian products. "But they also might just seek out those Canadian products regardless as an attempt to rally around the flag, as it were, in this period of strife with our American friends." Thunder Bay chamber, CEDC seek feedback Meanwhile, the Thunder Bay Chamber of Commerce and the city's Community Economic Development Commission (CEDC) have teamed up to compile a list of local businesses that export to the U.S. The organizations are encouraging businesses to complete an online survey, launched a few weeks ago, which also gives them the chance to express their needs for support. Jamie Taylor, CEO of the Thunder Bay CEDC, said they've been having regular conversations with the provincial and federal governments about potential stabilization funding or opportunities to support affected businesses. "We want to ensure that northern Ontario businesses, our specific impacts, are included as they're thinking about what the governments can do in response," said Taylor. "As well, for our own purposes, as to whether or not there's something that the CEDC or the chamber can do specifically." More information about the survey can be found on the CEDC's website. Meanwhile, the TBPL's panel discussion will be held at the Waverley Resource Library on Thursday, Feb. 13 from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., and is free to attend.
