
The North Kamloops Library building. (Photo via City of Kamloops)
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has green lit an five-year long agreement that will see Community Services Officers stationed at both the downtown and North Kamloops library buildings.
Chief Librarian Judy Moore says CSOs will begin to provide security at the two locations on Oct. 1, after a successful pilot project that began in Sept. 2022 where CSOs replaced private security guards at the North Kamloops Library.
In a report to the TNRD Board, Moore says there was a 47 per cent drop in the number of incidents at the North Kamloops Library, from 85 in 2022 when the pilot began to 45 in 2023, while visitor numbers were up about 12 per cent in 2023.
“This is a model that is exemplary. In terms of incidents, dramatically decreased at the North Kamloops library,” Moore said.
“The CSO role and their specialized training brings just such value to us in terms of what you would see in a regular security role which would be patrolling a facility for example and keeling it safe. They go that extra step in terms of engagement and looking for suitable solutions.”
Moore also said the decision to add CSOs to the TNRD Civic Building, which houses the downtown Kamloops library, comes as the existing five-year security contract for the building is ending.
“Currently, CSOs provide enforcement and security inside and outside of the library, educate the public about regulatory rules and investigate complaints, mediate with the public to gain voluntary compliance, ensure the security and welfare of the public, and control minor disturbances,” Moore said in her report.
TNRD Board Chair Barbara Roden also spoke in favour of the plan, saying the initiative will help ensure that libraries continue to be safe places for staff and patrons.
“It keeps our libraries open and not intimidating for people,” Roden said. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, libraries are the most inclusive, welcoming, non-judgmental spaces we have in our society.”
TNRD Chief Administrative Officer Scott Hildebrand says in addition to patrolling the two libraries during operating hours – which were modified as of this week – the move will also lead to an increased presence of Community Services Officers in downtown Kamloops.
“The CSO will be based [at the TNRD Civic Building.] They’ll be doing checks around the building, in the area, downstairs, upstairs, all through the area,” Hildebrand said. “From a staffing standpoint, we were assured by Kamloops staff that this was part of their plan and recruitment.”
The initiative will cost about $1.4 million over the five-year lifespan, which includes an annual 3 per cent inflationary increase. Those costs will be split between the TNRD, the City of Kamloops, and the strata at the Library Square building.

A breakdown of costs for the new CSO partnership at two Kamloops libraries. (Photo via TNRD)