It’s my civic duty to expose my daughter to hostile vagrants and vulgar uncontrolled boys harassing her in front of bewildered and powerless staff?
I can’t imagine why these places are closing!
I can’t imagine why these places are closing!
I grew up going to libraries in the suburbs of Chicago and Philadelphia. Those are some of my best memories. I wouldn't have developed the computer skills or built the career I have today if I hadn't seen other kids, a little older than me, using them. Just being able to spend hours in a quiet, safe space where people are learning for fun— I think it changed my life.
There is nothing that I as a visitor can do (without being arrested).
There is nothing the employees can do, because the vagrant can beat them, and the young thug can report them - and the judge will rule in favor of the assailants.
Personally I've spent loads of time hanging out in libraries from my infancy. My mother volunteered in them until I graduated high school. When I was forced to live on the streets, I found libraries to be a peaceful daytime refuge with amenities available; as long as I was respectful and never overstepped etiquette rules, I was often permitted to doze off.
I was blessed to be near a major university whose library facilities were explicitly a public service, not limited to students. The atmosphere in there was a cut above, calm and sophisticated. I never caused trouble and I never invited it, but I was occasionally locked-in after closing time!
My own city's library actually exists on park land, and it's patrolled by legitimate uniformed Park Rangers! Indeed there has been a surge of homeless and street people hanging out, but the library responded by co-locating social services, including the Section 8 housing office, in an excellent show of outreach.
The main urban library has been a much bigger zoo and practically demilitarized. There is definitely also gang activity. The homeless hangout has been curtailed a bit; unfortunately the café there closed permanently. I personally didn't feel safe, and the restroom users were frequently patrolled to keep them honest.
A real shame for you there in Canada. If you have the means to access a university library, perhaps it's more hospitable. Otherwise, appeal to your municipal leadership and get civically involved. No tax-paying family should be intimidated out of their rightful public services.
It is indeed a tragic and unnecessary waste of a wonderful resource.