There are more than 9,000 public library systems across the United States, which means every community, large or small, has at its heart a welcoming place to read, learn, grow, connect and create.
we pay tribute to the people who bring those buildings to life: the librarians, technicians, assistants, educators, shelvers, support staff, clerks, custodians and all those involved in daily operations.
“Library workers are the fuel that keeps our nation’s libraries running. The services they provide go far beyond the bookshelves, helping people find jobs, start businesses, continue their education, and make art. They guide us through times of struggle and provide support that can help change lives. In the face of increasing efforts to silence our communities, libraries represent a bastion of free speech,” AFSCME President Lee Saunders said in a statement.
“This selfless, essential work must be met with dignity and respect — the kind of respect that comes with a union. That’s why nationwide library workers are organizing with AFSCME in historic numbers to protect these inclusive spaces and funding for the services they provide,” Saunders added. “This National Library Workers Day, we recognize the dedication of all those who keep our beloved libraries running, and we commit to standing with them as they continue to fight to protect their jobs, safety and freedoms.”
Library workers have dedicated their careers to supporting our communities and our democracy. Increasingly, they are organizing so they can better support each other on the job.
“Serving the public is the deep ethic of everyone who works at the library,” said Karen Bowen, the adult literacy program coordinator at Boulder Public Library in Colorado. “If I feel supported as an employee, I’m more able to support the vulnerable folks I work with.”
establish the policy framework for recognizing their union, AFSCME Colorado. A decision could come on National Library Workers’ Day.
“We want to have a voice in the operation of this institution so we can keep doing what we love and help the people we want to help,” Bowen said.
Library workers play a vital role in our civic life by helping build a nation of lifelong learners.
In addition to our gratitude, we can honor their work by giving them the kind of security that comes with forming a union and negotiating a contract.
Without those two things, their jobs are more at risk.
“I think at a very basic level, if workers are protected, we are more capable of providing all these amazing services to the public if we don’t have to worry about our currently at-will positions,” said Jessica Villanueva Puentes, an acquisition specialist at Boulder Public Library and a member of the organizing committee
Library workers in Boulder say fair wages, good benefits, clear communication and transparency in decision-making are important, and they also want a contract that gives them a seat at the table when it comes to improving the delivery of public services.
“Who knows the library better than the people who actually work here?” asked Villanueva Puentes. “We want a collaborative experience with the board. We need to be able to communicate so they understand our needs and priorities.”
Union organizing in libraries, museums and other cultural institutions is on the rise as more workers discover the power of collective bargaining.
More than 50,000 workers in libraries, museums and other cultural institutions across the country have gained a voice on the job through the
across the country have gained a voice on the job through the AFSCME Cultural Workers United campaign.