Hamilton Public Library board votes to require library card for central branch entry

Starting Monday, residents will need to bring a library card to get into Hamilton’s Central Library branch.

Wednesday night, the library’s board voted eight-to-two in favour of implementing a two-month pilot program to see how the community responds to the changes. However, critics continue to push back.

Library officials say it is a response to growing safety concerns over drug activity in the branch.

Board members say drug use inside the library is deterring families from visiting.

“I have a library card, so that doesn’t bother me. I’ve had a card since 1988,” said one Hamilton resident.

The temporary measures will be used to test and evaluate the change in access, in response to growing safety concerns over drug activity inside the branch.

“What we’re saying is, if we keep having people using the library and people can distribute drugs in the library, that is preventing us from doing our function,” said Paul Takala, chief librarian at Hamilton Public Library.

Takala added to some board concerns about the recent string of incidents over the winter, and how the environment is deterring people away from the facility, including families.

“I think it will make even us, as parents, feel more comfortable having our kids here,” said another Hamilton resident.

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However, not everyone is happy about the card requirement. Critics attended the meeting and argued that the changes are restrictive, and say very little was done prior to a decision for a change.

“We’re not happy about the decision that council has made. It would’ve been much better to defer and to get much more research on it,” said another Hamiltonian.

“There are people who use substances that have library cards, so this isn’t something that’s necessarily going to enact any sort of meaningful change,” said another resident.

The Hamilton Public Library’s central branch has long been an inclusive place where people can walk in, read, study and use a computer.

Over the cold winter, full shelters and the closure of supervised injection sites have pushed more people to seek warmth at the downtown library.

The central branch changed its hours on a temporary basis Feb. 1 to keep its doors closed on Sundays, and to open an hour later — at 9 a.m. — for the rest of the week.

Staff say they have been dealing with overdoses and mental health crises more often, making it harder to serve everyone.

In response, Hamilton police tell CHCH News, “since Feb. 1, officers have attended the library 85 times, through a combination of calls for service and proactive visits … Officers regularly conduct walk-through’s of the facility, connect with staff, and address issues as they arise.”

Those opposed to the move worry this will set a precedent, including local union CUPE 932, which represents library workers, who says it has “deep misgivings” about the plan, citing access concerns for both marginalized groups and worker safety.

Takala says the library is still open for everyone, and any Hamilton resident who doesn’t have a traditional ID can bring other documents and still get an access card.

The board is expected to report back on the pilot program in June.

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