Library staff in Prince Edward Island are celebrating an enhancement in workplace security with the recent deployment of panic buttons at select locations for emergencies. These discreet buttons, resembling car key fobs, can be worn by employees on a lanyard. When activated, they trigger a third-party service that promptly contacts 911, leading to police dispatch to the site.
The majority of libraries in the province are situated in rural areas, where staff often operate alone. Grace Dawson, the director of libraries and archives for the province, expressed satisfaction with the panic buttons, describing them as an added safety measure. She highlighted the relatively low crime rate in Prince Edward Island compared to other Canadian provinces, emphasizing the importance of providing staff with additional security resources in case of emergencies.
Currently, remote panic buttons are operational in eight out of the 25 libraries on the island, including Stratford, Souris, Hunter River, O’Leary, Cornwall, Borden-Carleton, Alberton, and Breadalbane. Dawson mentioned plans to expand the deployment of these panic buttons to more locations in the future.
While remote panic buttons are now considered standard practice in Canadian libraries, Dawson clarified that their installation was not prompted by any specific incident but rather as a proactive safety measure due to the public-facing nature of library operations. She also noted the positive reception from rural locations targeted for implementation.
Susanna Hamilton, a staff member at the Stratford Public Library, shared her experience of working alone for extended periods and the reassurance provided by having access to the panic button. Although she has not encountered a situation requiring its use, Hamilton emphasized the peace of mind it offers in potential emergency scenarios.
Looking ahead, there is no set timeline for implementing panic buttons in all Prince Edward Island libraries, but Dawson expressed the intention to complete the rollout expeditiously. With almost a year since the initial installation, the library service is collaborating with local authorities to explore further placements of panic buttons, aiming to enhance safety and comfort for solo-working staff members.