For Immediate Release
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
AFSCME Salutes Library Workers
First Annual Library Workers Day April 20, 2004
WASHINGTON —The American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, the nation's largest union representing librarians and other library workers salutes the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) on its annual National Library Workers Day on Tuesday, April 20. National Library Workers Day is a time to honor the contributions of all library workers, including librarians, support staff and others who make library services possible. National Library Day is part of the celebration of the 2004 National Library Week, which runs April 18-24.
Librarians and library workers are responsible for a wide variety of services that patrons come to expect from their libraries. They are in charge of much more than just checking books in and out of the library. From the U.S. Library of Congress to public libraries in Boston, New York, the District of Columbia, Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle/King County and the state of Hawaii, AFSCME librarians and library workers provide patrons the information they request every day. In countless school, college and university libraries across the country, AFSCME members give students the tools they need to succeed.
"Library workers ensure that their institutions run smoothly, but also protect our rights to privacy, and are on the front lines of the fight against censorship," said AFSCME President Gerald W. McEntee.
McEntee added, "Thanks to library workers, all people regardless of income have access to information and valuable resources when they need them. These libraries work because AFSCME members do."
