Third Spaces 2: The Library and The Strike

 Hey all,

I had a blog post I made a little while back about the importance of third spaces. Where I live, the city's library workers are on strike. Even though this inhibits my library usage, I am fully in support of the library workers getting paid a living wage, especially considering how much they actually do in terms of customer support and extra stuff like providing basic human services especially to vulnerable people.

The library is not just books. While the library is on strike, think about this. Many people who don't have printers, computers or even internet use the library to find jobs or print stuff off, including unhoused people. People who can't afford a printer, a meal, a place to stay, use the library. The library is used by newcomers for tutoring and finding services. People get their taxes done via tax clinics. Kids and adults especially those in poverty take classes and go to events. Kids and teens do their homework there. People who want to save money and space in their homes borrow books. The library workers get people connected to services, making them front line workers. They put up with abuse, kids running around screaming, they have stressful but meaningful jobs. People seek shelter in the library from heat and cold. They can charge their devices too. 

While the library is on strike, these services are halted. The library workers need better wages. $16/hr for all they do is not enough at all. I'm hoping for their sake they reach an agreement because they deserve to be paid fairly. If I was them I would be on strike for sure. The cost of living is ridiculous right now and besides all the mutual aid and  community services the library workers do besides their usual customer service is reason enough. There are other reasons too. It's a job that requires resilience and nerves of steel. It's not a job just anyone can do either. I am of the belief that every job no matter how small or big deserves a living wage and the library workers really need it now more than ever.

p.s. the library workers have reached a tentative deal!

curlyalicia