By 1808Delaware
A decisive majority of staff at the Delaware County District Library (DCDL) have voted to unionize. According to results released by Ohio’s State Employment Relations Board (SERB) on Monday, 82% of valid ballots were cast in favor of forming the Delaware County United Library Staff (DCULS). The new union includes 85 librarians and library workers across all branches of the system, making it the sixth library staff union organized with the Ohio Federation of Teachers (OFT) since 2021.
The American Federation of Teachers shared a press release announcing the vote, a synopsis of which is below.
A Unified Voice for Delaware County Library Workers
DCULS is part of a growing trend of library workers organizing to relating to workplace conditions and ensure fair compensation. Megan Shoemaker, an Adult Services Librarian at the Liberty Branch Library, expressed the collective motivation behind the decision:
“Library workers joined together across all of our branches because we knew it was the only way to have a voice in the policies that affect us and our libraries,” Shoemaker said. “Now that we’ve officially won our union recognition, we’re looking forward to working together with our Board and administration to not only strengthen our library system, but to ensure every staff member is respected and compensated fairly. Together we can and we will provide the best possible resources and services to our community because if one thing is true, it’s that we all love our library.”
The union aims to address issues such as wages, workplace respect, and staff input on library policies.
Unionizing with the Ohio Federation of Teachers
DCULS joins other library unions across the state, including those at Worthington Libraries, Grandview Heights Public Library, Pickerington Public Library, Upper Arlington Public Library, and Athens County Public Libraries. These groups are affiliated with the OFT, which represents a wide range of public educators, support staff, and other professionals across Ohio.
Jade Braden, a Circulation Assistant at Northwest Library and Secretary for Worthington Public Libraries United, praised the addition of DCDL workers to the union:
“I’m so proud to welcome Delaware County library workers into our growing library union family. As a former DCDL worker, current Worthington Libraries worker, and Secretary for Worthington Public Libraries United, it brings me great joy to gain a sixth library system in our collective mission to raise standards for library workers and defend intellectual freedom.”
Navigating Challenges and Staying Resilient
While the DCDL Board of Trustees pledged neutrality during the union campaign, workers reported mixed signals from library leadership. Anti-union talking points were allegedly shared in a mandatory staff meeting, a move that prompted an Unfair Labor Practice charge after the library denied union organizers equal time to address staff.
Now that the union vote is official, DCULS members plan to survey eligible workers to establish contract priorities. A representative team will then negotiate with library management to address these priorities. Additionally, the union plans to engage with the community in support of an expected library funding levy later this year.
Recent successes by other library unions, such as Athens County Public Libraries workers campaigning for a funding levy in 2024, provide a roadmap for effective advocacy and collaboration with the community.
Kaleb Kramer, an Adult Services Specialist at the Liberty Branch Library, highlighted the importance of evolving alongside Delaware County’s rapid growth:
“Having grown up in Delaware County and seen its changes over my lifetime, there have been enormous changes that we never even imagined. Our community size and its needs have changed, but our commitment to the Delaware County community hasn’t. Our new union empowers all levels of staff to leverage our community relationships and experiences in partnership with our management and Board to keep pace with the rapid changes happening in our county.”
Source: American Federation of Teachers press release
