OCL Addresses Safety Concerns in Tillsonburg

Friday, 11 August 2023 11:43

You may have noticed that a lot of the large shrubs have bushes have been removed around the Tillsonburg library and on Washington Grand Avenue.

TILLSONBURG - The Oxford County Library has responded to some health and safety complaints regarding the Tillsonburg branch.

The OCL released the following statement on its X page (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday August 3rd.

"We’ve heard your concerns about activities behind Oxford County Library’s Tillsonburg branch. The personal safety and security of library visitors is always of utmost concern. We are at the same time devastated to see so many people in crisis in our community.

We are taking a number of measures in and around the facility to increase visibility and safety. We are also working with community partners to address this issue on a broader scale.

If you have concerns at any time about your visit to any branch of Oxford County Library, please let us know. You can send a comment using the County’s customer service feedback form here."

In an interview with Heart FM this morning, CEO and Chief Librarian Lisa Marie Williams gave us some further insight into the situation.

"There were some people kind of in and amongst the bushes and peoples belongings in and amongst the bushes. I think it was causing some safety concerns for other members of the public."

She says actions have been taken to address these concerns.

"We worked with the County's public works team to remove some large shrubs and bushes that were around the library, just kind of behind, and along Washington Grand Avenue. We're going to continue to work with the Town of Tillsonburg and the County to determine what other changes and enhancements we might need to make to the area with health and safety in mind."

Williams says the situation has improved since then.

"We believe that it had the effect we were hoping it to have. I'm not seeing some belongings and things around the library or causes of concern within the branch and around the branch. So hopefully we'll continue to see positive impacts from that."

If you ever have concerns regarding any of the Oxford County Library branches, Williams says you should notify library staff or reach out to the County.

We’ve heard your concerns about activities behind Oxford County Library’s Tillsonburg branch. The personal safety and security of library visitors is always of utmost concern. We are at the same time devastated to see so many people in crisis in our community. pic.twitter.com/GNMfCsx75b
— Oxford County Library (@_OCL) August 3, 2023