Doors at libraries in the Halifax Regional Municipality, including the Halifax North Memorial Library, remain closed, causing a loss of community services that is deeply impacting individuals like Tracey, who has been homeless for more than a year. Tracey, who has a vascular disease and has lost some fingers, relies on the library as a warm, safe space where she can wash her hands and access clean water. The closure of the library means she has to walk further to access similar services, but more importantly, she is missing the support from her community navigator, Shannon Hansen, who is on strike. Hansen plays a crucial role in connecting vulnerable patrons to resources in the community and responding to emergencies such as overdoses.
Shannon Hansen emphasizes that libraries are often the last stop for vulnerable individuals facing various social issues, including housing and drug problems. He and other community navigators provide essential services and support to people who may not have access to resources elsewhere. With the strike ongoing, crucial services like responding to overdoses with naloxone and connecting people with community resources are not being provided. The absence of these services puts vulnerable individuals at risk, as they may not receive the help they urgently need in emergencies. The closure of libraries is especially detrimental to those who rely on them as safe spaces.
Community navigator Sheena Jamieson from Halifax Central Library highlights the importance of libraries as safe spaces for vulnerable individuals where they can access information, technology, and community resources. The closure of libraries due to the strike hinders their ability to provide essential services and support to those who need it the most. Workers are advocating for a livable wage and job stabilization to continue their work effectively, as they cannot support others if they are struggling themselves. Tracey, one of the library patrons, expresses how she uses the library for various needs, including using the phone, computer, and finding a safe place to rest when she hasn’t slept all night.
The impact of the closure of libraries goes beyond just a lack of access to information and resources. For individuals like Tracey, who are experiencing homelessness and rely on the library as a safe space, the closure means losing a vital source of support and essential services. Community navigators like Shannon Hansen are crucial in connecting vulnerable individuals to resources and responding to emergencies, such as overdoses. Without their services, individuals are at risk of not receiving the help they need in critical situations. The workers are advocating for fair wages and job stability to continue providing services to the community effectively.
Tracey expresses her hope that a deal can be reached to end the strike and reopen the libraries, as many lives depend on the services and support provided by community navigators and library staff. Before the strike began, Shannon Hansen was actively working with Tracey to find a safer place for her to set up her tent, exemplifying the dedication and commitment of library workers to supporting vulnerable individuals in the community. The closure of libraries is not just a loss of access to resources but also a loss of safe spaces and vital support for those who rely on them for various needs. The ongoing strike highlights the importance of fair wages and job stability for workers in providing essential services to the community.
