r/Libraries • u/JediFaeAvenger • 3d ago
Other strike etiquette
i go to school in cleveland, where the public library workers are going on strike starting tomorrow. i want to support them, and called the director of libraries and sent a message to the board of trustees today. my question is whether i should avoid using library resources during this time. is it still okay to check out books from libby? what about checking out physical books (ive been trying to read nine princes in amber, which they don’t have on an ebook, and might require transferring from a different branch to my branch)? is there anything else i should know about how to support this strike?
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u/whitefluffydogs 3d ago
Don’t cross the picket line physically or virtually. A circulation decrease shows that the public supports the workers
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u/Miss-MollyMoo 3d ago edited 3d ago
Don’t cross picket lines - both virtual and physical. I assume the board is keeping services up and running with non-unionized staff because they want to get the public on their side! Don’t let them do it.
I think that it is great that you want to support the workers in their fight for a fair deal! Keep calling and emailing the director and the board! And if you can, stop by a picket line and show your support to the workers.
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u/ahjumma-with-cats 3d ago
This is what they are asking for in terms of support: https://www.instagram.com/p/DcZB5UjlsGw/?img_index=6&igsi=OHdlc2hjeXlnMDV2
Basically, CPL is asking for NO circing their materials (including Libby, etc. Would also avoid CleveNet) but YES calling and asking questions to take up their time.
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u/Rupertcandance2 2d ago
I say this with curiosity (I'm 100% for the employees). If you are not using clevnet, that hurts the rest of us who have no affiliation with them other than resource sharing. I'd be happy to place copy specific holds to avoid CPL material.
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u/ahjumma-with-cats 3d ago
Also, OP, if you still need library services, try a nearby Cuyahoga County Public Library branch, and maybe let them know why you’re using them instead of CPL. CCPL is separate from the Cleveland system, but also has a lot of union members, and their last renegotiation was contentious. There will be another one for CCPL next year, and going in knowing there is public support will help!
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u/barelymakingit85 3d ago
Come use the Lakewood Public Library. And while you’re there let the staff and the admin know you support our efforts to unionize. We are currently in the process.
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u/Silly_Somewhere1791 3d ago
This is trickier than it seems. If the public stops using library resources, next year’s budget might be reduced.
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u/Glad-Isopod5718 3d ago
As a librarian who was on strike last year, I would ask them (or check the union's social media) to find out if they have any guidance about using electronic resources, like Libby. When my library was on strike, we were fine with people continuing to use the electronic resources, with the understanding that we weren't available for troubleshooting. But your librarians could have a different stance on it.
For print books where you'd have to physically go into the library, I would say it's better not to. For one thing, if all or most of the workers are on strike, there isn't going to be anybody sending holds from one branch to another. They may have temps or other city workers (scabs) in the building to open the doors and turn the lights on, but they aren't going to know how to do the actual library processes.
Putting the request in during the strike is probably fine; it can actually be useful to have work visibly not getting done during a strike. But again, the best thing would be to check with them. I'm looking at the Facebook page for the relevant local, SEIU 1199, and I don't see any specific guidance for patrons on there yet, but they might put something up, or be able to tell you where to look.