Thinking about the blank looks outsiders give library workers when they talk about how drained they are during this time. It’s shameful how libraries have always followed a capitalistic style of operation over treating their own workers with care.

When I think about the folks in libraries at their wit’s end, I specifically think about front desk staff, not directors. Front desk workers have faced the worst as libraries remain open during one of the biggest public health crises in a generation. All for James Patterson books

By the end of this pandemic, many degreed library directors will hold circle jerk coffee hours and award ceremonies where they all pat each other on the back, like they always do. And their front desk workers (specifically part time) will continue on without recognition.

If this rings true for you as a non-degreed/part time library worker, I want you to know you deserve more appreciation than you’ll probably ever get from academic circles for the unnecessary shit storm you’ve been put thru this year. I see you. You’ve been treated horribly.

After close to a decade, my respect for this profession has certainly depleted, but I respect you. You deserve to hear someone say that the things you’ve been forced to endure in a global crisis are shameful.

The way your humanity has been chucked out the window in favor of serving the masses is dystopian. You deserve a raise, you deserve PTO, and you deserve to work in a place that thinks of staff safety above performing forced normalcy for the public.

I must admit my own privilege in this. My library hasn’t opened fully to the public since March. Things haven’t been perfect & burn-out is still very real, but I’m grateful. My heart goes out to all the library workers who are going thru it. I wish your protection was a priority.