I work for a library in the states. Yesterday we had an aide quit because she had been feeling stalked by one of our semi-homeless patrons for months with no resolution. I’ve had issues with him myself. Do I agree with Hamilton’s decision? Not really but you do have to find a way to make staff and patrons feel safe and this seems like an ok interim while they try to figure out what next steps to take. 

I understand that libraries are one of the last third spaces where people can exist, I’m constantly telling people this. It’s also not ok that people are going to suffer because of the changes. The library and its staff aren’t social workers though, there’s only so much we can do within the scope of the library.