Library 24/7 Proposal

Survey Results

 0 = Negative
1 = Positive
2 = Partial/Not Specified
Of the respondents who submitted comments, over half had
an overall negative response towards 24/7 proposal.
Many supported extended hours and Sunday hours, but were
not fully supportive of 24/7.

Usage category includes:

Those who personally will/will not use library during proposed hours
Those who feel others will/will not use it either
Respondents who do not feel the usage will/will not be high enough
to warrant the new proposed hours

Usage Example Responses

Great idea! I usually only use the online library but this could change!

Extending library hours could make sense, but having the library open
after 11 PM seems like an extra expense that will provide little usage,
except by the homeless.

I have reduced my use of the city library for one reason - it is a
homeless refuge. It is the most beautiful library I have been in. I would
not leave my children there. Having the library open 24/7 only brings
homeless in for longer periods of time. That will be the primary user of
the library when 24/7 begins.

Cost Category Includes:

Respondents who feel 24/7 proposal is/ is not worth the expense
Money from private donors would be better used elsewhere in our
city, specifically a homeless shelter or youth center
Concern for wear/tear on building, furniture, restrooms, books

Cost Example Responses

Waste of money. Get a 100% private grant. Stop wasting my money on
something that is stupid.

I am not in favor of this proposal. The library is not the place to serve as
another homeless option. The business people who will be funding this
should support opening a shelter for homeless teens.

Please put the money that would go towards keeping the library open
towards public housing for those in need.

Political Category Includes:

Respondents who have concerns about future burden on tax payers
Any who mentioned decisions made and their impact on city/social
services, government or policy

Political Example Responses

My concern is tax payer money and the homeless sleeping there. I know
you can't turn the homeless away but maybe block off certain areas
where they cannot go or have extended hours.

The cost would raise taxes. The people that would support this is a very
small part of the community.

I think my taxes are high enough without adding something like this. The
time I really wish our neighborhood library was open is later on Friday
night.

Homeless Category Includes:

Respondents who mentioned the homeless population at all
Homeless persons needs and access to services
The aect they have on library patrons, the building itself, the library
environment, comfort level and neighborhood.

Homeless Example Responses

I think it will become a place for homeless people to camp out at night.

I don't see why 24 hours is necessary, and I worry it would just increase
the problem with overuse by the homeless population (of the bathrooms
and couches). However, I would love to see increased weekend hours.

Great. So now the library will be a full time homeless shelter.

I agree that homeless teens do need a safe place to be at night.

Transportation Category Includes:

Respondents who made comments about Trax, or their limited
options for accessing the library
Those who had questions/complaints about parking primarily
access & cost

Transportation Example Responses

I'd love the library to be open all the time but I hope we get some later
Trax trains.

I would NEVER support a 24/7 pilot program for the main library. TRAX
and other public transportation is not 24/7 which means that people
would be encouraged to walk around in the middle of the night. These
extended hours would invite an influx of homeless people who would be
much better served with an appropriate shelter.

Transportation Cont.

I DO NOT support 24hrs/day access to the main library. I don't see the
point of jumping to a 24/7 format when an extended hours format
(something like 9AM to 9PM) hasn't even been tried yet. Public
transportation, including TRAX, does not run 24/7. People who have cars
are not likely to drive to the library in the middle of the night when they
can stay home and look up information on the internet. I live in the
neighborhood and Ive seen many people loitering outside during the day.
More and more homeless people are bound to congregate there leaving
them to walk the streets before and after their visits creating a dangerous
neighborhood. The homeless population is better served by a homeless
shelter that is designed for that purpose.

Security Category Includes:

Respondents who do not feel safe themselves at the library,
especially during evening hours
Those who do not feel their children are/would be safe
Those who feel the area outside the library including surrounding
neighborhood is/will be unsafe
Those who feel a more aggressive security plan will be required

Security Gendered Responses

Security - Breakdown

Security - Examples
Children
Please don't do it! I am already visiting the library less often because of the number of
homeless people. I feel unsafe having my kids with me there. If it was open 24 hours,
the homeless would use it as a hotel."

"I have stopped taking my children to the downtown library due to large homeless
population throughout the building. This will only increase that problem and keep me
away in addition to my kids. What a terrible idea.

I used to go to the old downtown library, and the new library is very beautiful! BUT I don't
feel safe at the new library because of the people who hang out outside the library and in
the lobby. They make crude and often dirty comments when people walk by especially if my
teenage granddaughter is with me. Therefore I only go to the library at Foothill or
Sugarhouse. I think keeping the downtown library is only going to encourage more
problems and I really think it's a foolish idea.

Security - Examples
Neighborhood
"I think this is a terrible idea. I live very close to the library and do not think that having
the library open 24/7 will be positive for the area. I already do not feel safe walking
near the library and inviting access 24/7 will not help that. Neighborhood security is a
big issue for me."

"I think extended hours are needed, but I know many patrons who would not attempt
to use the library in the middle of the night due to safety concerns outside of the
library. The problem is how to get in and out of the library without being potentially
accosted or assaulted in some way, verbally or physically. Opening at 5:00am and
closing at midnight would accommodate actual patrons.

I live at The Metro condos right across from the Library. There is already enough problems
being harassed by homeless begging for money in the neighborhood. Opening 24 hours a
day won't help this situation it seems no one other than homeless bums and drug addicts
are going to the library.

Security - Examples
Library Building
"I am adamantly opposed to the idea. I am already hesitant to let my 16 yr old
daughter visit the library by herself since she has been harassed several times.I will
not use the downstairs bathrooms as it is, since I have seen both men and women
partially naked cleaning themselves in the sinks.So if the downtown library goes to a
24 hour schedule, I will NEVER go there again and make sure my kid doesn't either.

Future Plan
I am in favor of late night hours (only until midnight) but I am very concerned about a
lack of sufficient security and resources during 12-6am hours.

Will parking remain available during the whole time the library is open? Will the parking lot
be patrolled to ensure safety during limited use times? Will there be steps taken to ensure
that the library does not just become a place for sleeping?

Current State Category Includes:

Respondents who gave comments about the state of the library
today, NOT necessarily about the 24/7 proposal.
Those who feel bathrooms are unsanitary, unmonitored, and unsafe.
Those who have stopped visiting the library as a result of the
homeless presence and negative experiences.

Current State Example Responses

The library is already a place I avoid simply because of all the smelly, dirty
homeless that camp out on the computers and sit there all day. Im afraid that it
will just turn into a 24 hr homeless shelter with the crime and drugs that come
with that. If you could prevent the homeless from using the library I would support
the idea for sure, but as it is I will not expose my 4 year old to the library even
during the day because the library is so full of people I dont want her around.

I have refused to attend the library because I felt threatened due to the fact that it
has become a haven for homeless and odorous, boisterous, mentally disturbed
individuals. I wear an ostomy device and I have to use the restroom more than the
average individual. I tried to find a clean odor free restroom to use. The smell of
unclean and unsanitary bodies was enough to turn me away from the facilities. I
no longer support this library. It will continue to become worse with 24/7
operation. It is unfortunate that a public facility has become overrun by an
undesirable element. So much for the majority who fund this facility have, it
seems, little control or say in the real problem.