Lakeland Library Region's Executive Director Jake Marion at city council's meeting this week. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Security personnel needed

North Battleford Library asks for funds for security service

Nov 16, 2023 | 5:35 PM

North Battleford city council has another ask to consider when it starts its 2024 budget deliberations.

Lakeland Library Region’s Executive Director Jake Marion, based in North Battleford, made a presentation to council this week asking for more support to cover costs for security at North Battleford Public Library.

He noted the library was able to use its own funding for security currently, since two staff members are on maternity leave. However, since the individuals will be returning next year, the library needs to make up the cost for 2024.

While it needs $94,000 a year for security, Marion said the library is asking the city for half that, $47,000.

“The library can find the other $47,000,” he said.

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“We are very pleased with the current security service, and in my opinion it’s quite cost effective,” he noted. “It comes to be $24-an-hour for security service… It’s 63 hours a week.”

Looking ahead into 2025, the library hopes the city will provide the full amount annually going forward.

The city already provides the library $366,000 through a levy for operations, that includes costs for staffing and books.

Marion noted that library usage has increased each year. But having security for libraries isn’t uncommon, he said.

“North Battleford has big city problems,” he said.

Coun. Kent Lindgren understood the different kinds of needs of the library.

“Libraries are really remarkable places in our communities. They are not just about books,” he said. “It’s a foundational part of our community…. so, I am a big supporter of this. My question is how we can possibly fit this into our budget and what that means for us as a city.”

Marion related some of the concerns include the library’s issues dealing with people with substance abuse problems and occasionally a threat of violence.

Coun. Len Taylor who is on the library board said some people attend the library who have knives, or who are inebriated, so the security personnel are needed.

The library also serves as a warming place for homeless people during cold months, and provides free toques and mitts. It also offers free hot and cold beverages. It is also about the only place people can access washrooms downtown.

City council agreed to debate the ask at its upcoming budget discussions that start next week.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow