Toronto Public library branch denies a lost child to make a phone call, library apologizes

*apparently we need to teach "human"

Is this 2024 that we are in? Libraries are usually safe spaces.

Not just the effing library but everyone who ignored her...despicable!😡

Disgusting! This child did everything right - she went to adults and asked for help.
I know they may have to account for every penny in their accounts, but surely they could have afforded the price of a phone call, and I am sure her parents would have paid for the phone call if asked to (or the library could have asked to reverse the charges).
If a child had approached me in such a situation (and the library phone could not have been used for a "private" call), I would have happily got my purse out and paid for the call myself, and even gone to the Pay Phone and helped the child to use it.
For people who work with the public, the staff seem to have no "public spirit" at all - I just hope they never find themselves, or their loved ones, needing help and receiving such treatment themselves in the future.

This is so antithetical to what a library is supposed to be. The library is supposed to be a safe place- for EVERYONE. That's like, the soul of public libraries. Why they're so dearly loved.

Most kids reading this are like what is a payphone! Who in 2024 still has payphones

the same thing happened to me yesterday, a total stranger asked to use mcdonald's phone and then denied her. and then she was asking strangers one by one. it's not that we don't want to help, we are taught to be cynical, what if she tries to steal my phone? i let her use my phone, but i dialled for her. she didn't even say thank you at the end. so what did i gain by doing this? nothing. so don't judge the strangers, in your situation, you would quesiton whether you want to help a 12 year old girl also. you have nothing to gain, and she could try to steal your phone.

This poor girl I’m so glad she wasn’t abducted ❤️‍🩹

Also, teach your kids how to use a payphone!

And the worst part of all is that librarians are supposed to have a higher education degree to work there -.- talk about lack of thinking!

When I was growing up you're told dont talk to strangers, go to a store or something like the library.. 😮😢

just replace these people with ai they already act like a bot might as well get a bot to work there the Ai will have more situation awarenes

Thankfully she is on the news happily with her mother instead of on a the side of a milk carton

Ohh such a big disclosure. This is the level of news people need today. Thankyou

All of those people and the library are disgusting.

Too many scams...

There is no need for a "protocol" in place to help anybody especially a child.

Couldn't anyone offer to call her mom for her? 😢

The library used to be considered a safe place for children to ask for help. Why couldn't someone explain to her how to use a payphone or crazy thought written down how she should have done it? I thought you were supposed be able to learn information at the library. Our public library has a phone in the corridor for kids who have been dropped off at the library to call their parents which happens a lot since it has a high school on one side and middle school on the other.

Good morning from England. This is such an indictment on today’s Western ‘public service’ culture. I volunteer in my local library, and I hope that never happens in my hearing. Subbed.

I find it as disturbing that nobody on the street when asked, helped her. Then again, this society we live in now....not at all surprised.

WTAF??!!BRINGING THE TROJAN HORSE OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS OR WHATEVER TROJAN FITS THIS SCENARIO HAS TO COME TO A FULL STOP!! AND NOW!!

I've let people make phonecalls from phones in my pharmacy. Some people just need a little help. Libraries exist for this reason😒

The phones in the library probably can’t make outgoing calls, but they could have found another way to help her get in contact with her mom. For strangers on the street they probably thought she was trying to scam them for access to their banking accounts that’s on their phones. That’s what’s been happening down here in the states, people have been using kids for this scam

Looks like the people of Toronto all need a lesson in common courtesy. Totally unnaceptable.

I don’t understand how anyone could walk past a little girl who’s lost. The library employees are out of their minds. I am so glad she’s safe!

Have you ever heard a public servant tell the truth when they don’t have to? And they never have to.

It's called COMMON SENSE for Pete's sake! Absolutely ASSININE! I would FIRE the employee who didn't/wouldn't help a young child..Ridiculous..

So... did she TELL any of them she was lost? There are so many dumb kids doing pranks this way, just asking to borrow a phone with no real context gets you nothing.

I'm not going to comment on the obvious ridiculousness of the the library refusing help to a lost child.

What I want to know is, what part of the world still has payphones?!

The employees couldn’t call her mom for her??? Even if the phone is only for employees, I would call her mom and tell her where she is! Don’t care if I had permission from my boss or not, you can’t just leave a lost child.

I have a valid question. Why hasn’t her mother taught her how to use a payphone by now? I think my mom taught me all the basics at a very young age and I’ve always just known how to use one… not like she had any change on her anyway I bet.

Pickpockets are everywhere. Children can be pickpockets. Parents, get your children a phone. 😊

Unbelievable all around. Shouldn't have to "train" people to be concerned for a child's well-being. I just can't believe it. People have lost their mind.

What is wrong with people? This world is a f'ing mess.

what is there to learn? how mentally and morally deficient do you have to be to not help a lost child?

Nobody here mentioning the accountability of the after school program that ended 2 hrs early and let an 11 year old go home without confirming/ contacting parents. The phone call to the mom should have been made at the school on the first place. Does NOT excuse the library staff, but should not be overlooked either.

I hope they learn how to be human beings.

When our government employees do not know the law make up phony baloney laws and attempt to enforce those phony baloney laws, or our elected officials LIE and do not Not follow the same laws that they make We The People follow and refuse to "Protect and Serve" then there is no law, just a fight for survival. This video is why We The People have become scared of our government from the lowest paid city clerk to the president, to the point that We The People no longer join or start coalitions to demand transparency in our police departments and local government because We The People are scared of the reperfusions from law enforcement.

It showed their commitment to the community (or lack of one) clearly.

As a mom this infuriates me.

What on earth have we come to? The librarians could have dialed it for her! It gets dark nearly an hour after school is out. As a kid, we used to always be able to go to these places for help.

I suppose the person that said NO also had a personal cell phone that she could have used to help out the 11 yr old. That employee needs to be talked to/fired. What if it was their child and an adult refused to help them? What harm would the 11 yr old have done to her phone ? Really !!!!

I hope this mean employee lost her job. This child could have been murdered.

This is disgusting.the library should be ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES

Unbelievable!

Liberals are to blame...i bet if it were a illegal they woukd have given them food and shelter plus the phone to invite more of them

WHY are idiots STILL put in positions of “leadership” or “authority” ANYWHERE?!?! ffs Also tell that young lady she has FABULOUS hair. 💙

You know that the some of the staff of the library includes parents with young children, or grandparents. Why the first response wasn’t: ’of course, tell me the phone number and I’ll help you. And while we’re waiting, are you ok? Would you like a hot chocolate?’

It is Canada, what do you expect?