Hamilton’s Chief Librarian has responded negatively to a 115-signature petition to designate Hamilton’s public libraries as ‘Safe Drug Consumption Sites.’
“The petition’s proposed service would likely negatively impact on our ability to provide library services, particularly our work to support families grow the next generation of readers,” Paul Takala writes in a letter to City Council.
He says the Central Library is already experiencing a decrease in families using the branch. “At Central Library, children’s book and other youth material borrowing was down 62% in 2024 compared to 2019.”
The Library is not alone. An eruption of opposition has occurred across social media platforms.
Hamilton’s Public Health Sub-Committee has received a dozen letters of opposition, two delegations requesting to speak against the petition, and the union representing library workers has requested the opportunity to make a statement.
On Monday, the Sub-Committee will hear a delegate from petitioner Tyler Dhaliwal.
No motions have been filed to support the petition.
City Council Process Causes Confusion
Hamilton City Council recently adopted new procedural rules that limit the publication of public correspondence.
Anyone can delegate to council committees to present their viewpoint or proposals; however, if the delegate is presenting a petition, the Committee Chair must permit it to be included in an agenda package.
The policy creates situations in which a delegate can speak on behalf of a petition, but unless they include the document within a slide presentation, it is not made available to committee or the public.
Monday’s meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. and will be livestreamed on YouTube.
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Published: April 25, 2025
Last updated: April 25, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
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People need to stand up against the council who is trying to turn every community service into open drug activity venue. Our libraries are for sharing knowledge. They are not rehab centers.