| It is tragic but quite believable that your local library is a hostile environment. Municipal libraries can vary widely in atmosphere and clientele. 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.