Library staff and passersby witnessed a disturbing incident at Burnaby’s Metrotown library this week, but police said the incident had not posed a public threat.
First responders were called to the library for a medical incident at about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, according to assistant fire Chief Derek Masaro.
He said a man they found near the front entrance of the library had sustained a head injury and was bleeding heavily.
A bystander told firefighters the man appeared to have had a seizure and hit his head, according to Masaro.
“There was a big pool of blood,” he said.
Firefighters controlled the bleeding and handed the man over to BC Ambulance.
Burnaby RCMP did not attend, according to spokesperson Cpl. Mike Kalanj, who said the incident had not posed a threat to the public.
A NOW reader said he witnessed the emergency crews’ efforts.
“Most of us who happened to be passing the area at the time were shocked by the sight,” he said in an email. “Library staff who came out to offer help were visibly shaken.”
Library staffers often work with vulnerable people: report
A 2016 CUPE B.C. health and safety report found library staff across the province often work with marginalized and vulnerable people and more could be done to support these workers.
“Library workers, as service providers, are often called on to utilize a wide range of skills on a daily basis in order to effectively work with diverse groups without necessarily having the training or the time to safely do so,” the report stated.
When asked what mental health supports are available to Burnaby library workers dealing with incidents like the injured man Tuesday, City of Burnaby public relations manager Chris Bryan said all city staff have access to mental health and counselling services through their employment benefits.
“Beyond that, we have a policy of checking in with staff after an incident to ensure that they are OK and to address any specific concerns about the staff member’s wellbeing,” he said in an emailed statement. “The branch manager checked with our library and security staff who attended (Tuesday) immediately after the incident, and neither has indicated any concerns.”
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