This is the conclusion to Libraries and Unions, Worker Solidarity. We are still focused on covering the basics of the purpose a Union. Being in unions have helped us both extend our solidarity to workers in other library systems or even other sectors. We also talk about how as public
This is the first of a series on Libraries and Unions. The 'worker' part of our project is closely connected to labour rights. Any conversation about the conditions of our workplaces has to begin with centering the worker within the labour movement. You can find us on Apple,
Don’t Just Shake it Off: Debriefing tools to support frontline library staff (Calgary Public Library) TL;DR: Online Sessions Geography: Calgary/Alberta/Canada Partners: The Alberta Library, Library Association of Alberta Speakers: Mary Graham and Becky Potter, Calgary Public Library Availablity: Unlisted. May be able to reach out to
This is the second of two episodes on the Workers Compensation Board. While Occupational Health and Safety is often more familiar to library workers, WCB sometimes isn't. We do our best to explain how we understand WCB and our own thoughts on the barriers that exist in accessing
This is the first of two episodes on the Workers Compensation Board. While Occupational Health and Safety is often more familiar to library workers, WCB sometimes isn't. We do our best to explain how we understand WCB and our own thoughts on the barriers that exist in accessing
3. What is Your Place: Becoming an OH&S Committee Member This is the third and final article on Joint OH&S Committees, after which we’ll take a break from OH&S and explore other library related topics. There’s still a lot to go into
Forum: UN CSW70 NGO Forum Parallel Event Speakers: Arlene Limas OLY, CEO of PAVE Prevention; Lauren Comito, Executive Director of Urban Librarians Unite Geography: United States Date: 10 March, 2026 Length: 90 minutes, online. Audience: anyone interested in improving workplace safety in public libraries and/or interested in hearing from
2. Applying the Work: Physical Safety to Psychological Safety For many years, repetitive strain injury was the primary risk to library workers. This was the result of handling materials in large volumes, leading to a variety of debilitating musculoskeletal injuries. Violence in the workplace is a newer risk to library
Our third and final episode in our series on Occupational Health and Safety is now available. We talk about the four basic worker rights, how to participate in OH&S at work, and how OH&S and the union can work together. We end the episode with a
This is the second part of our conversation on Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S). In this episode, we talk about violence prevention programs, incident reporting, and workplace inspections. Regional differences really come into play here, as some provinces and territories have stronger mechanisms in place to reinforce and
The first part of our conversation on Occupational Health and Safety is out! This is the first part of a longer conversation on Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S). In this episode, we talk about what OH&S is in the context of public libraries, give a very,
Episode 4 is out! The final instalment of our lengthy conversation about what public library work looks like today. In this episode, Audrey and I discuss why some barriers (like fines) have been identified as inappropriate to public library service, and how other financial penalties continue to exist. We also
As always, a reminder that we are trained but not professionally certified in OH&S and are writing this from the perspective of workers. We want more people to be aware of the regulations and systems that influence their working conditions in order to become informed and to use
One of the major ways that workplace health and safety is regulated in Canada is through Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S). This article goes over the high-level basics of OH&S in the workplace. None of this is legal advice– at The Library Worker, we are
Our third episode (and second in a three-part series) is out now. Audrey and I discuss how library work has changed because of automation by both reducing the physical impact of materials handling, but also reduced the amount of interactions between patrons and library staff. Library branches that have
Urban Library Trauma Study Final Report Basic Details Written by : Urban Librarians Unite (ULU) Published: 2022 Based in: Brooklyn, NY Focus: Urban public Libraries Geographical Region: USA Length: 61 pages Links Urban Librarians Unite Urban Library Trauma Study Final Report Library Worker Support Network The Quick Readability: This is a
Audrey and I sit down to talk about what public library work looks like and how it has changed in the last 10-15 years. We went long, so we are releasing it in doses—the first part delves into patron expectations and how that impacts what our work looks
We have already touched on how the perception of public libraries differs between a worker’s perspective and the academic or general public’s perspective. To illustrate this, a part of the library worker’s day contends with the lack of access to basic services such as washrooms, showers and
Frontline workers in public libraries deserve a safe workplace. This article discusses some of the issues facing workers and goes over some of the resources that currently exist.
Episode one available now on Apple Podcasts. Welcome to the Library Worker! We’re glad you found us. We’ve just released our first podcast episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean, iHeart Radio, and a few other platforms. In it, we introduce ourselves, The Library Worker project, and what we
This platform exists because there is a gulf between the understanding of what library workers do everyday, and everyone else’s impression of our work. This isn’t surprising, because librarianship as a profession struggles with representation and diversity. Another factor is society’s perpetual discomfort with looking too closely
News
We are Audrey and alissa, two library workers who recognize the gap that exists between what is expected of a public library and what it is like to work in a public library. Our society has changed drastically in the last six years and in the last fifteen. We’re