SF Public Library workers rally for more workplace security
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Hundreds of library workers rallied Tuesday afternoon in San Francisco in front of the city’s main library demanding that more security measures be put in place.
“We want to tell the city how important it is to have a security a guard at every single location,” said library worker Nicole Germain. “Because not only do the library workers deserve to be safe, but so do the residents of San Franciso.”
At Tuesday’s rally, San Francisco Public Library workers were downtown to rally for safety. They were demanding that the city provide security guards at all their branches and to hire more full-time employees.
Why is a house floating across the San Francisco Bay?
Germain is chapter president for the SF Librarians’ Guild. She said security guards are desperately needed after recounting a scary experience she had herself.
“I have had very severe incidents. I had a strong duty to protect the children,” she said.
Demonstrators say that library workers are forced to intervene in dangerous situations that at times, can turn physical.
There are 27 library branches in the public library system, of which, only nine branches have dedicated security staff. Germain, who is also the branch manager at the Portola branch, says this is their third attempt with the city to get safety help.
“This is the third time we are bringing this to the bargaining table,” she said. “Second round we got three guards and I am one of the lucky ones who got one. This year we are trying for more and they are telling us, ‘No, no guards are needed.’ And we believe that is false.”
She said that after the Portola library got a security guard, her staff felt safer and so do the patrons.
“Not only do my staff feel safe, but also the patrons. We have kids, teachers, many of them have come up to me and said ‘thank you.’ Having that guard in the branch, it brings the cortisol levels down,” she said.
District one Supervisor Connie Chan was at the rally showing her support for the cause. She said she plans on discussing the issue with the board.
“This is not San Francisco,” Chan said. “We should not let this go this far. They are librarians, they are not security guards, they are not police. I think we need better protocols in public spaces, including our libraries.”
San Francisco librarians are currently in contract negotiations.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
