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“I’ve worked at bars and restaurants and I’ve never been subjected to the type of behaviour and the comments that I’m subjected to at the library — ever,” said one employee. “It’s shocking.”

Kevin Saunderson, the library’s senior manager of corporate services, acknowledged “challenges” with staff morale. He said verbal abuse is common, while intoxicated people are “pretty much constantly” in the central branch. That behaviour isn’t allowed, he said. But he wants the library to remain a space that welcomes “the full spectrum of the citizenry of Regina” — even those with addictions or behavioural issues.

“We’re not going to close the doors and not let people in,” said Saunderson. “We are open to the public.”

The central library’s adult section saw 357,128 visitors last year. The overwhelming majority were amicable, according to communications manager Colleen Hawkesford, who said a group of 10 to 20 hardcore troublemakers drive a large portion of the incidents.

But some employees blame senior managers for the problems. A group of mostly frontline workers, who spoke to the Leader-Post under condition of anonymity citing fear for their jobs, said management seems unsupportive and unresponsive to their concerns.

“When there is an issue, it feels like it’s greatly minimized,” said one employee. “It feels like the response is terrible.”

“It feels like the relationship has soured to the point where repairing it is impossible,” said another.