Rally throws book at Millennium Library’s tight screening

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This article was published 24/02/2020 (1516 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

People crowded into the Millennium Library lobby Tuesday to rally against the downtown centre’s airport-like security screening — exactly one year after mandatory bag searches and metal detectors were implemented.

“Things people need to survive are being taken from them,” said youth worker Davey Cole, adding the security checks are discriminatory against marginalized people.

“A lot of my youth come here — or used to — a year ago,” Cole said. “This is where they can access the internet, connect with their families, use the washroom or grab water.”

Cole said it’s now common for items such as nail files and unused needles to be taken away. “We shouldn’t be policing people for what they need.”

The rally was organized by Millennium For All, a grassroots group advocating against the security screenings, saying they create barriers to the library, a public space.

“We have talked to people in our community about why they don’t want to go in for reason of homophobic or racist experiences with guards there, or past traumas that make going through that checkpoint really uncomfortable,” said Marika Prokosh, a library assistant and member of Millennium For All.

Prokosh said the goal of the rally was to show the library and the City of Winnipeg residents want alternatives to the screening funded, such as de-escalation training for staff members.

Ed Cuddy, Winnipeg manager of library services, said since implementing the screening, the number of reported dangerous incidents at the downtown location have gone down about 43 per cent.

Library attendance also dropped by about 31 per cent the year after the changes, according to City of Winnipeg data.

Some in attendance Tuesday, such as Georgina Bighitty, were on-board with the security checks.

“It takes time, but that’s fine,” she said. “I feel safe.”

No other libraries in Canada have implemented such security screenings, according to a 2019 report by Millennium For All, recommending a more holistic and harm-reduction-geared approach.

“Looking back on the past year of having screening, the way it was rolled out was not optimal,” said Cuddy. “We didn’t consult the community, and it came as a shock to a lot of people.”

A new working group is being created to review the security screening and look at alternatives, according to Cuddy. The group will include staff and community members.

“I want to get this… together as soon as possible to start having those discussions,” he said.

Millennium For All has been hosting events all week. On Saturday, members manned an “alternative reference desk,” where people could ask questions about things such as library budget cuts and crossing the security barriers. On Thursday, the group will be delivering petitions to city hall.

The Winnipeg Public Library has made specific recommendations for alternatives to the screening to be tabled at the city’s budget meeting March 6, according to Cuddy.

mélanie.ritchot@freepress.mb.ca