Fórsa has met with local government management representatives to seek commitments on the implementation of safety measures before libraries start to reopen early next month.

The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which represents local authorities, has conceded that the resumption of services must be gradual to protect the health of staff and library users. The union has requested for services to be initially restricted on a ‘collect and return’ basis when reopening commences on 8th June.

Peter Nolan, the head of Fórsa’s local authority divisions, said this was one of a number of measures the union had sought. “We understand that people are impatient for this valued and well-used service to resume, and this is a managed first step which would limit the exposure of staff and library users to the coronavirus,” he said.

The union has also called for strict control over public access to ensure social distancing is maintained in libraries.

It has also called for proper signage and cleaning, facilities for outside queuing, an insistence that children are accompanied by an adult, restrictions on study facilities, and specific times for vulnerable people to access libraries.

The union is insisting that employers’ proposals to deal with these issues are set out well in advance of library re-opening.

Peter said libraries would also have to abide by an agreed national protocol governing workplace safety as the economy reopens.

This aims to underpin workers’ safety as staff migrate back to workplaces, and says every work location must have an agreed employee representative for Covid-19 safety arrangements.

He added that certain local authorities had already set out their own proposals. “Select libraries appear to have already provided for a reasonable balance between the needs to deliver a good service to the public and also adhere to public health guidelines.

"But it’s important that these measures are streamlined nationally in the best interest of both staff and service users,” he said.

Local authority libraries have continued to provide electronic library services to the public throughout the pandemic, with some services providing selected deliveries to members of the public.

Read Fórsa’s advice on a safe return to the workplace HERE. 

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