Vaughan Public Libraries has not received a bomb threat in memory and although we had procedures in place they did not cover the actual circumstances of the event. There were initial challenges receiving and passing on the threat to appropriate staff. During the response some issues were also identified in communication and coordination with municipal and law enforcement partners. While staff were never at risk, our employee union did raise some concerns after the event. Although a public library may face an emergency at any time, we determined that we needed to complete the review and training in time for our 2025 Pride Month event.

We determined that a full review of our emergency procedures was required, along with retraining for staff. To best gather input, ensure by-in, and foster understanding, this process was undertaken as openly as possible. Most of the review was conducted through our provincially mandated Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC), which includes both union and management representatives. Our JHSC undertook a comprehensive review of emergency procedures, first through a working group of unionized staff, then by management with our municipal partners, and then by the committee as a whole. The improvements in the procedures were then introduced to our Public Service Team of Library and Area Managers, who in turn provided training to relevant staff.

We successfully completed the review of our procedures and retraining of relevant staff in time for our annual Pride Month celebration in June. We were fortunate in not being able to fully test the new procedures, as no threats were received this year, but staff indicated they were more prepared after the review. The process helped strengthen our relationship with our municipal partners in both Facilities Management and Health and Safety, and to ensure that our responses would be coordinated in an emergency.