ManitobaThe fourth floor of the Millennium Library in downtown Winnipeg has been temporarily closed to visitors, as the city examines potential, safety upgrades, the chair of the city’s community services committee says.City councillor says the floor could reopen to the public by next weekAlana Cole · CBC News · Posted: Aug 21, 2025 10:35 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoThe City of Winnipeg says it’s temporarily closed the Millennium Library’s fourth floor ‘out of an abundance of caution’ after security and staff ‘observed recent concerning behaviour.’ (Bryce Hoye/CBC)The fourth floor of the Millennium Library in downtown Winnipeg has been temporarily closed to visitors, as the city examines potential safety upgrades, the chair of council’s community services committee says.Point Douglas Coun. Vivian Santos told CBC the move comes after an incident occurred on the floor on Wednesday, which is just weeks after a 40-year-old man died by suicide on Aug. 6.Santos said it’s her understanding that security staff intervened in Wednesday’s incident and there were no injuries.The incident involved a person trying to go over a railing on the fourth floor, she said, but it’s not clear why. Security staff was present on the floor at the time, said Santos.A City of Winnipeg spokesperson Thursday wouldn’t disclose any specific details about the incident but said by email, “We made the decision to temporarily close the fourth floor after security and staff observed recent concerning behaviour.”In a separate email, the spokesperson said the city has been “working on a number of potential solutions to improve safety on the fourth floor atrium since the incident on August 6.”Point Douglas Coun. Vivian Santos says at this point, she can’t comment on what changes are being considered at the library. (Tyson Koschik/CBC)The spokesperson went on to say there has been an increase to security on that floor over the last few weeks.”While this has been effective over the last few weeks, we’ve decided to close the fourth floor to library patrons out of an abundance of caution while we continue to develop medium- and long-term solutions.”Last week, the union representing workers at the library said it was considering legal action if the city didn’t commit to improving safety.Gord Delbridge, president of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500, told CBC he wrote letters regarding safety concerns to the mayor, city councillors and city administration following the man’s death earlier this month. “These types of issues, when they happen, they can be very traumatic for staff and for patrons using the facility,” said Delbridge. “So they need to implement some preventative measures right away.” Delbridge said he became aware of the most recent incident Thursday. He pointed out there have been a number of issues that involved safety at the library over the years. Gord Delbridge, president of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 500, which represents library workers, says there have been a number of issues that involved safety at the library over the years. (Jeff Stapleton/CBC)”We want this to be a facility that’s safe and usable by the patrons, and this becomes a health and safety issue when members are experiencing traumatic incidents in their workplace,” he said. Delbridge said he wants to hear recommendations from library staff regarding changes in their workplace.Santos said at this point she can’t comment on what changes are being considered at the library. The city’s chief administrative officer and management “will determine what upgrades or … what other safety upgrades need to occur,” said Santos.The city councillor said she’s happy to hear work is underway to see what solutions are possible to make the fourth floor safe for staff and the public.”It is disheartening … to hear that incidences like this happen” in a public space, she said.”I know the city, myself as chair of community services, is committed to ensuring that … our employees feel safe when they go to work.” Santos said the fourth floor could reopen to the public by next week.Library visitors can speak with staff on the first and second floor regarding computer booking and to place requests for items from the fourth floor, according to the city. To access daily newspapers and inter-library loan services, visitors can go to reader services.If you or someone you know is struggling, here’s where to look for help: Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988. Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868. Text 686868. Live chat counselling on the website. Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention: Find a 24-hour crisis centre. This guide from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how to talk about suicide with someone you’re worried about. ABOUT THE AUTHORAlana Cole is a reporter at CBC Manitoba. Email: alana.cole@cbc.caWith files from Erin Brohman and Darren Bernhardt
4th floor of Millennium Library temporarily closed as city looks at safety upgrades
