Kawartha Lakes Library closes washroom due to illicit drug use

This month, the Kawartha Lakes Public Library, Lindsay branch, made the controversial decision to close its public washrooms for the foreseeable future.

The decision comes in response to repeated incidents of misuse within the library facilities. “For several years, the public washrooms on the top floor of the Lindsay Library Branch have been the focal point of numerous problems, mainly involving drug use and other unwanted activities,” says library Director and CEO, Jamie Anderson.

The closure comes after several attempts by the library over the years to deter inappropriate use via key access and protocols for staff to do washroom checks, “to ensure health and safety and discourage lingering,” says Anderson. However, the physical layout of the library (the washrooms are located on the top floor, accessed via a hallway) makes it challenging for staff to monitor the washrooms while managing the bulk of their work on the main floor. Though the option to post a security guard near the washrooms was proposed as an alternative, Anderson says that “in the end, the Library board agreed with the recommendation to close the washrooms for the safety and security of both staff and the public.”

In the last few months alone, Anderson says “police have had to be called several times to assist with issues happening in the washrooms, with paramedics called twice to deal with suspected overdoses.” Witnessing these incidents can be traumatizing for both staff and library patrons on top of other safety concerns regarding discarded needles and biohazardous substances. However, closing the washrooms eliminates this problem within the library only.

Local resident Ralph Hicks shared his concerns about the closure with Kawartha Lakes Weekly, saying that “only a very small number of those who enter the library’s premises are engaging in this behaviour, but everyone using the library potentially is impacted by this decision.” This includes added inconvenience for patrons who will now have to exit the library and seek relief at the nearest available semi-public washrooms in nearby restaurants like the Tim Hortons at the corner of Kent Street and Victoria Avenue.

The closure adds particular strain and difficulty for those with accessibility and mobility challenges, especially during this record-breaking snowy winter, where icy or snow-covered sidewalks can turn one city block into a veritable obstacle course.

A lack of public washrooms is also an issue for women and those who menstruate, who need a safe and clean space to care for themselves during an already highly stigmatized, uncomfortable, and often painful time.

Hicks also remarks that this decision “won’t prevent the illicit drug use that results in overdoses. All it does is help isolate library staff from the consequences of the crisis.” Though this issue shouldn’t be a burden for library staff alone to bear, it also shouldn’t be a problem deflected onto other small business in the area surrounding the library, presumably where this problem will move to, now that the washrooms have been closed, he adds.

The closure of the Lindsay branch’s washrooms also means the community has lost access to one of a few public washrooms that are accessible year-round. During the winter months, many public washrooms in parks or other public outdoor areas close due to reduced use of these spaces in colder weather as well as to reduce maintenance costs involved with clearing snow, cleaning, and issues with freezing pipes. Kawartha Lakes Manager of Building and Property, James Smith, reminds the community that “all community centres, halls, and most administration buildings have washrooms available to the public during operating hours.”

All hope is not lost for the library washrooms, as Anderson notes. “With the Kawartha Art Gallery moving out of the Lindsay Library branch later this year, we want to look at the configuration of the floor and will re-evaluate the closure at that time.”

The Kawartha Lakes Public Library remains committed to its mission of serving the community and all other branches’ washrooms remain open to the public, as they have not been experiencing the issues with misuse that remain a major problem for the Lindsay branch.