Overwhelming Majority of Workers at Delaware County District Library Call for Union Recognition
An overwhelming majority of librarians and library workers at Delaware County District Library (DCDL) called on their Director and Board of Trustees to recognize their union.
“We love our libraries and many of us want to build long-term careers here,” said Kaleb Kramer, adult services specialist at the Liberty Branch Library. “That’s why we’re coming together to form our union so we can fight for a voice in decisions that affect our work and for improvements — like parental leave, equitable benefits for part-time workers, and wage increases — that will reduce turnover and improve workplace standards.”
“A united staff is a stronger staff, and when we come together we can give greater voice to our concerns and the concerns of the community,” said Collin Clemons, an Outreach Associate for DCDL. “Forming our union will empower DCDL employees to bring about change and it will give us a seat at the table.”
The employees are aiming to be the sixth Ohio library system to join the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) since 2021. Most recently, staff at the Athens County Public Libraries (ACPL) went public with their union on July 29; just a few days later, the ACPL Board of Trustees announced that they will recognize the union. Prior to that, workers at the public libraries in Worthington, Grandview Heights, Pickerington, and Upper Arlington organized their unions in affiliation with OFT.