Far right should not be able to disrupt 'sanctuary' of libraries, says union
Said To 'free That People' And For Galway, 'to There Head Educate Everyone' Vahey, Librarian Are Jo Are Accessible And Libraries The Books
Tiny groups of far-right protesters should not be able to disrupt people in the community from accessing the “sanctuary” of their local library, the head librarian for Galway has said.
Jo Vahey was speaking after a handful of people, including well-known far-right agitators, travelled to Portumna Library on Thursday as part of a long-running disinformation campaign about LGBT books.
But contrary to claims that the library in Portumna was closed because of their planned protest, Ms Vahey said the library was closed because the librarian providing cover was out sick. The Galway County and City Librarian said the library would be reopened on Friday and Saturday — with the protest leaders warning they will be back.
Fórsa, the civil service union which represents librarians, said the targeting of libraries and their staff by the far right should be “a priority” for everyone.
Ms Vahey said the Portumna librarian was on holidays and that the person organised to provide cover had gone on sick leave on Tuesday for a week. She said they managed to get another person to work there from Friday but couldn't for Thursday.
“It had nothing to do with this protest,” she said.
She said libraries are “free and accessible to everyone” and that books are there “to educate people”. Ms Vahey said libraries are a "safe place" for people, including those who are isolated, people from the new communities and parents.
“Libraries are a sanctuary," she said. "We provide a social function to the community and we are not going to change.” She said the local community was “incensed” by the disruption tiny groups of protestors were causing.
She said: “I’ve talked to all our staff and said we are there to work and we do not have to engage with these people, those who go in and agitate."
Ms Vahey said the safety of staff was the top priority: “We always have a plan in place. If staff feel unsafe, leave the building and encourage people to leave. In no way stay in that situation and ring the gardaí.”
She said there were panic buttons for staff and added: "I don’t think this should be happening and that staff should feel under pressure, or intimidated.”
Ms Vahey said the Galway library service was celebrating 100 years in existence this year. She said they have 29 branches as well as school and mobile libraries, the latter providing a key social service to isolated people.
A statement from Fórsa said: “Fórsa continues to emphasise the importance of libraries as sanctuaries of safety and inclusivity. Fórsa takes the view that the protection of public libraries and their staff from attacks by the far right should be regarded as a priority for everyone in a civilised society.”
It said: “The protection of staff in their workplace is the primary responsibility of local authority management. Fórsa continues to work with local authority management to ensure staff are safe and secure in their place of work, and that all measures necessary are taken to eliminate opportunities to intimidate or harass library staff.
“Fórsa has also engaged positively with communities and civil society groups in its public opposition to attempts by the far right to target library services.”