Safety concerns associated with an accelerated resumption of library services featured strongly in Fórsa’s first ever webinar for library staff, which took place yesterday (Thursday).

Hosted by the union’s local government and local services division, the event attracted over 150 participants at its peak.

This represents well over 10% of Fórsa members who work in libraries, and the event is among the largest interactions the division has had with a single group of members.

Fórsa intervened last month when it was announced that library services would start to resume from 8th June. As a result, a ‘click and collect’ facility was established, which meant limited physical access to libraries, with books quarantined before and after use.

It subsequently emerged that some local authorities were preparing to allow the public to make appointments to browse library shelves. This was done without consultation with Fórsa, which raised fears that it would undermine the quarantining of books.

The union’s contacts with individual local authorities slowed the process in some local authorities. Fórsa is also in contact with the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which collectively represents council employers.

The head of Fórsa’s two local authority divisions, Peter Nolan, said the original ‘click and collect’ service was designed to protect the safety of staff and service users alike. “The proposed change would mean public access to main library areas, and the 72-hour book quarantining period would cease,” he said.

Peter told the webinar that quarantining had continued in all areas, and said the union would follow up after one webinar participant said it had stopped in her library.

Questions were also raised about cleaning toilets and computer equipment, controlling the numbers of people in library premises, staff who self-isolated because of underlying medical conditions, workforce planning, flexitime and more.

The webinar featured contributions from Edel Scally (chair of the union’s non-professional library vocational group), Shelley Healy (chair of the professional technical group), local government division cathaoirleach Seán Reid, and Tom Browne from the divisional executive committee.

Edel said the last three months had been difficult for libraries and their staff, who had stepped up to huge challenges in switching to remote service provision. “The staff know and understand the people who use libraries. We’re a great source of information for developing services. Libraries need to learn from Covid and become more innovative,” she said.

Shelley urged library staff to contact the union if they had fears about the resumption of face-to-face services or other issues.

“There’s an awful lot of frustration, anxiety and concern out there. People feel let down because of poor communications from management. This heightens anxiety, but Fórsa members can get information and advice from the union,” she said.

Seán and Tom spoke about the division’s work on pre-Covid issues including staffless library services, the protection of staffed opening hours, safeguarding procedures for filling posts, and ensuring the provision of health and safety risk assessments.

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