Calgary Public Library - Central — Attraction in Calgary

Stunning would be 5 stars of course a number of concerns arose for me. TLDR = I would not let my children attend here.. Realizing it's been ongoing since opening according to reviews..a shame they literally do nothing about serious issues If so a STROLLER worth of belongings wouldn't be carted in here while she goes to the bathroom to do god knows what.

SMOKING weed/cigs should be BANNED from the entry and steps. I'd be having a chat with the City and Salvation Army next door as all the homeless congregate outside; about a dozen loitering there even in winter, it wreaks like booze literally in the wind blowing to the entrance and while they smoke on the "patio" worse than a dive bar. Let alone I got a few verbal "compliments" I did not appreciate walking or waiting.

An update to that, my second visit is if they can come in and use the library fine BUT security should be stopping them from EMPTYING their bags onto the tables and now wagons and carts at the inside entrance..bringing in garbage or every belonging in bags/carts... strewen things everywhere that is a safety issue what if there were needles or god knows what !? A girl with a PILE of stuff in the green booth the library let's it... the new Drop-in..

If they need a printer, a book or resources as the library, sure!..but this is not in my eyes to be their bedroom ....to empty their belongings all over the place.

One guy us cutting his shoelaces now with a knife....perfect....so safe.

another guy yesterday had a complete meltdown screaming profanities and throwing things saying he will leave whenever the eff he wants and a eff you to everyone at the top of his lungs so there was that.....

Anyways the building is beautiful...it's a shame outside (and now inside is a lack of common sense security to safety) is frightening and seems unsafe. And clear denial of issues. Library ppl get Defensive than apologetic or concern or solution oriented??

Please work on creating an environment outside with surrounding businesses, security maybe... that aligns with inside...for people's safety and sanitary and well being.

Stop saying you are when it's not.

ps the chairs need a steam clean or a vacuum or wipe or something! ..yikes, the photos don't even actually show how bad it is - for your awareness. Let's keep things sanitary if possible! (That goes with today's soiled update) I bring wipes.... sell then used like hotels do. Flip and get new ones.

Also not dress code per say - but hygiene standards should be enforced. In the picture below do we have this AM a guy who has soiled his pants severely and gets to walk right in and sit right down? Mmmmm. That is a safety hazard or a health biohazard because that gets into fabric chairs here.. disgust...I hope this improves for everyone.

suggestions and wishes:

The library needs a BULK order of felt pad bottoms for ALL their chairs drag/scrape so loud. Especially 4th floor quiet room.

I wish there were more outlets or ability to charge your devices...there are outlets but very difficult other than the designated computer study area.. none along walls where other chairs are throughout.

I also wish floor 2 was dedicated full floor to children so that troops of them scream talking, run around wouldn't be on the 4th floor, along with their teacher yelling like they are outside right along with it....?

There seems to be a general understanding that 4th floor is the most quiet floor even if not designated it should be. It Should be the silent floor then that leaves 3 floors of space for anyone screaming, scream-talking socializing, , adults yelling or homelessness.Now it has become the drop in floor.

Bring back silence to even ONE floor. CENTURIES of quiet and now it's like a YMCA here.

If the health and safety issues would be addressed this would be great. If I had children I would not be letting them attend as it is...it's not healthy or safe.

New one - homeless addict ladies ...pants down in the sink area washing and another washing her hair???? stuff everywhere. It's not right...there are...

I noticed a distinctly different attitude in the staff and security guards when i visited the library this time. They were exceptionally friendly and welcoming to everyone who entered. Their new campaign is "EVERYONE BELONGS AT THE LIBRARY." i cannot tell you how impressed I am by this change. Over the last four years as homelessness increased, many had no where to go in - 30 degree weather so they used the library's facilities and computers to stay warm and safe. , I witnessed these homeless people being treated with extreme disrespect by library staff and security. The staff and administrators treated these adults like rebellious, criminal children. If they accidentally fell asleep for a moment because they had no where to sleep the night before and were exhausted and cold, the staff banged their fist on the table and yelled Wake Up! before kicking them out, causing shock and confusion to these Calgary citizens who were suffering from being homeless and unemployed. Several times I witnessed inappropriate and abusive behaviour by the staff that caused me to stand up on behalf of the human rights of my fellow citizens, and tell the staff they were being abusive, i was documenting it and would bring it to the authorities. There was no sense of compassion for these people being shown. It really angered me. So it was a dramatic and joyful experience to see their news approach. It seemed sincere. I congratulate and honour the decision makers who came up with this plan. Update: Has this new policy been maintained by the library staff, or have their attitudes regressed? A little yes and a little no. I'd say that the treatment of the homeless has improved considerably compared to the year during Covid-19. And the attitudes of the workers who are security, cleaners, and repairmen have always been respectful. But a new policy in which all who visit the library must follow includes the requirement that no one is allowed to, even briefly in contemplation or meditation, close their eyes. And if it's because you're tired, that is extremely frowned upon. So the librarians are taught to say, as soon as your eyes stay shut longer than a second, "Is everything alright sir, or madam? Sometimes they will knock on the table surface with their knuckles as they say with the sound of alarm in their voice, "Sir, did you hear me? Is everything ok or do you need medical help?" The whole response seems inauthentic, over dramatized, and is clearly intended to make you comply by not closing your eyes. They are enforcing that you comply with their control over your body in the library through shame and ridicule and that closing youre eyes is an indication that you are unwell and they threaten medical attention. Two younger librarians even admitted they were trained in resuscitation techniques if it looked like you were over dosing on downers.i asked them how many people had over dosed in the library that this training and concern was mandated and they didn't know how to reply. It's simply a part of their agenda to ensure homeless do not get the opportunity to catch up on their sleep while in a public place, keeping them unwell and unwelcome. I wrote an essay about this newest attempt to control you, which you are welcome to read. It clearly outlines their hidden agenda and it's called Behind...

Today, my partner and I decided to visit the library for the first time. We were thoroughly enjoying our time, from the helpful front staff, the fresh coffee from Luke's, to leisurely strolling through the space from the ground floor working our way up.

Everything was going well until we were on the 3rd floor, when we were drawn in by the sound of a guitar being played in the library. We sat down quietly in a clear, open gaming area, enjoying the music and games some teens were playing on the TV. This is when we were met by a staff member hostilely confronting us in a very serious demeanour, first with a glaring stare and then approaching my partner (who was seated) from behind.

He says, and I quote "this area is for teen only, so are you a teen?". With such a hostile and rhetorical question, naturally we were dumbfounded. I responded, "you could've just kindly asked us to leave". He ignored my comment, and responded with "NO, I have to ask that, are you a teen?"

This was when the staff member crossed the line, and we left the area.

You see, there was a sign (which I saw walking through the open space), that stated:

"TEEN Welcome! This is a safer space for teens 13-19 only. CENTRE" (Picture uploaded to this listing)

Since the sign did not specifically say "adults prohibited" nor does it say "reserved for 13-19 only", AND there were adults in the area, we continued walking as it was an open and welcoming space, same as the 1st floor Children's Zone which was bustling with energy from both adults and children alike.

How wrong we were.

This was an extremely inappropriate, and confrontational experience that took place, over a non-issue. We decided we had to speak with a library manager about this, and the front staff once again was very helpful in coordinating our meeting with one. Tess, the manager we spoke with, was exemplary in listening to our concerns. She helped us as best as her role will allow, within the confines of rules and regulations, and we understand that.

The issue here is that NO ONE, even if one was exhibiting unruly behaviour (which we most definitely were NOT), should be confronted by a staff member in such a hostile, confrontational, and escalating manner. As I said to the staff member, and I repeat - he could have simply courteously asked us to leave.

Now in all of this, I can't help but wonder if this staff member (whose name we have) may have in fact been following policy as he alluded to. Or, was this simply employee misconduct that needs to be addressed?

If the former is accurate, then I am formally requesting the Calgary Public Library for a copy of the said policy and an explanation for the staff member's action, as I do not wish to place blame on an individual when this may be a larger issue.

The whole experience with the staff member was creepy, and it is truly inconceivable this is...