Starting this coming Monday hours are changing at the Frances Morrison Central Library, Dr. Freda Ahenakew Library, Mayfair Library and Carlyle King Library in Saskatoon.

Kirk Sibbald with the Saskatoon Public Library issued an email Thursday night stating that this past Monday there was an incident at the Carlyle King Library involving intoxicated patrons where an employee was physically struck and a security guard was physically assaulted. The library said, “In response to a growing number of concerning incidents happening at libraries, we are instituting some changes to hours at four locations.”

The library was closed Tuesday to support employees. Beginning Monday, the hours at will change to 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

SPL says it strives to be a welcoming place for everyone, whether reading books to kids, providing quiet study spaces, helping newcomers settle in Saskatoon, or creating social opportunities for older adults facing social isolation but having witnessed in recent months a reduction in community services available to Saskatoon’s vulnerable population it says it can’t be a place to sleep, to store large amounts of personal belongings or to use drugs and alcohol. The SPL also says it can’t be the primary access to washrooms or climate-controlled environments during evening hours.