Who pays or provides for opening a new chapter in security and navigating community services at the Barrie Public Library?
A meeting scheduled for this morning involving Lauren Jessop, the library's chief executive officer, and County of Simcoe officials could provide answers.
“I am optimistic that we will be able to partner with the county on this initiative,” Jessop told BarrieToday on Thursday.
The Barrie Public Library is asking for another 5.53 per cent in city funding this year, or $517,923 more, and $78,387 in its 2024 budget — which was presented to city council Wednesday night — is for a new position at the library’s downtown branch on Worsley Street.
The information referral and community navigation position would link vulnerable people to the most appropriate services and supports, promote mental health and well-being during what the Barrie Public Library calls an unprecedented mental health, addictions and food insecurity crises.
“We’re becoming the de facto triage centres for our main streets and downtowns,” Jessop told council Wednesday night, while presenting the budget. “The library has no desire to duplicate the work being carried out by social agencies or deviate from our mandate.
“Our staff simply need additional support to connect people to the right agencies and help to de-escalate someone who might be going through a tough time," she added.
The Barrie Public Library is looking at contracting out, to another agency, for support in helping people navigate the social services system. Social services, housing and employment issues could need resolving, as well as the skills to de-escalate somebody who might be upset, especially at the downtown branch.
But some councillors have concerns with city funding for the new position — especially since this budget cuts $100,000 from library materials and programs, resulting in fewer library materials and longer wait times for the most popular items.
“I’m actually disappointed to hear that you’re looking to use money, city money, and you’re reducing the material purchases, which is your core function,” said Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson. “That’s the job of the library.”
“It’s really unfortunate,” said Coun. Jim Harris. “We’re looking at not being able to fund our primary service, getting more materials and adding a staff.”
Mayor Alex Nuttall pointed out that the nearby Busby Centre, on Mulcaster Street, has social and support workers.
“The city provides funding to the County of Simcoe to deal with social services in the city of Barrie,” he said. “That’s something the province has required that we go through them (the county).”
Nuttall asked Jessop if the county was asked to hire a support worker or social worker inside the library.
Jessop said she did meet with the county.
“In that conversation, they provided us with assistance in how we would go about recruiting for this position, but it was not offered or presented to fund it themselves” she said.
“Did you put in any application for funding?” Nuttall asked
“I didn’t know that was an option,” Jessop answered.
The CEO says she will have a better idea of the library's options after meeting Friday morning with the county, which the city pays millions of dollars annually to provide a wide range of social services, as mandated by the province.
Jessop says libraries across Canada have been using community navigation or community outreach workers for a decade.
The Barrie Public Library has two security guards in place at the downtown branch, but they’re not always best suited to meet the challenges of people seeking social services.
The city budgeted almost $1.18 million for security services in 2023, $1.21 million in 2022 and has budgeted $1.23 million for 2024, including at the library.
The Barrie Public Library is asking that the municipal or city grant portion of this year’s budget increase to $9,891,033 from $9,373,110 last year. Inflation is expected to add $180,697 to library expenses this year.
Salaries and benefits this year would total $6.64 million, an increase from $6.38 million last year. This breaks down to a salary increase of $158,247, $99,591 more in benefits, for a $258,839 total.
Not every aspect of library operations and expenses is increasing.
The library materials and programs budget would fall to $1.3 million this year from $1.4 million from last year.
Somewhat offsetting those savings is an expected four to eight per cent increase in what the Barrie Public Library calls vendor costs — library materials, books, DVDs, etc. The library is also raising the cost of non-Barrie resident membership from to $100 from $75 to reflect inflation and enhanced library services.
No provincial funding increase is expected, but BPL says advocacy is in progress.
The Barrie Public Library has budgeted for total 2024 expenses of $10.46 million, paid for by the $9.89 million city grant and $569,749 in other grants and fees. Last year’s nearly $9.4 million city grant was augmented by $841,183 in other fees and grants for a $10.2-million budget total.
The library's 2024 budget requires city council approval and that will be considered at its Jan. 31 meeting.
It has 12,473 new library members since last year, for a total of 41,145, and also had a 52 per cent increase to in-person visits last year, compared to 2022.
Its downtown branch was built in 1996 and is 56,200 square feet, while the Painswick branch on Dean Avenue is 15,000 sq. ft. and was built in 2011. The Holly Community Library, located at 555 Essa Rd., opened in mid-2022 and is 4,500 sq. ft.
There are plans for more branches in Barrie — in community centres planned in the Hewitt's and Salem areas in the former Innisfil land, each at 15,000 sq. ft. in size.
