Supporting public libraries and library workers

This committee focuses on issues affecting CUPE library workers in communities across the province. The Committee involves workers from the many different kinds of libraries in B.C., including community, regional, K-12 and post-secondary libraries. While the populations they serve are different, the issues they face are similar.

The Committee develops tools, education materials, advocacy, and strategies to increase support for public libraries, their services and, importantly, library workers.

Ensuring health and safety for all library workers

Recent committee work centered on strategies to address increasing violence facing library workers. Committee members worked with CUPE Research to develop a health and safety survey, which was piloted with Richmond library workers.

The Committee is actively involved in CUPE BC’s participation at the BC Library Association’s Annual Conference, and supports and promotes CUPE BC’s annual sponsorship of the Summer Reading Club.

The Committee plans to continue work to advance health and safety for all library workers, including distribution of its health and safety survey to all CUPE library workers in BC.