Although there's no need to "revictimize" any marginalized people who spend time in the library, the staff has a right to enforce rules, Peterborough police Insp. John Lyons told the library board Tuesday night.

"You don't have to be overly security-crazy," he said. "But if you take a soft line and are not enforcing your rules and regulations, you've lost the building."

The library was a hangout for the city's homeless prior to a $12-million renovation; during 18 months of construction, the library was in a temporary location in Peterborough Square.

Since the reopening of the bright new branch on Aylmer Street at the end of January 2018, many marginalized people have returned. Library staff frequently find alcohol bottles in the washrooms. Police are called at least once a month.

Part-time security guards were put in place a year ago, and at the meeting on Tuesday, library CEO Jennifer Jones said full-time security guards have been in place since the start of this month.

Lyons, who was at the meeting to offer tips on security, said it's wise to have library staff regularly check the public washrooms.

Jones said the staff does that already, as do city police officers when they drop in unannounced.

Lyons approved of that: "It sounds pretty crazy to be a bathroom babysitter, but that's where your risk is."

Meanwhile, the library board also reviewed its code of conduct for patrons. The code was first adopted in 2015, and the board wanted to review it to see whether it needs revisions.

The code - which is posted on the library's website - states that patrons must not damage or steal library property.

Library computers must not be used to access pornography, it also states, and patrons must not bring alcohol into the library.

Taking library materials into public washrooms is also verboten, as is using the washrooms for bathing or washing clothes.

The library can impose certain consequences for unacceptable behaviour, such as taking away library privileges or even banning a person from the library, the code states.

Just before the library reopened after renovations in early 2018, the board had requested money for part-time security (at a cost of $21,000 a year).

But council turned down the request during budget talks in late 2017. Councillors wanted to see whether the new building, with its increased light and improved sightlines, would need security guards.

Yet within a few days of the library's reopening, Jones told the library board that there had already been three incidents of beer cans or syringes found in the men's room trash cans.

That led to the library board hiring security guards from its own budget.

Lyons said on Tuesday he wasn't surprised that the library continues to be a "harbour" for the city's most vulnerable.

"Just because you have a new library doesn't mean you have new people."

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joelle.kovach

@peterboroughdaily.com