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THANK YOU to @mlcarmel @gemmagaudette for speaking up on behalf of library workers on Idaho Matters @KBSX915 today! Correct, we are helping seniors, low-income kids, unemployed, lack of internet etc etc. and not on ANY priority lists for the vaccine. Yet. https://www.boisestatepublicradio.org/post/idaho-matters-reporter-roundtable-february-5-2021
I keep reading & hearing current rate is abt 40% acceptance for vaccine. Each library I know of (incl mine) has 80+% showing staff jump at the chance to get it, knowing their high risks at work. Easy population to reach!
@IdahoLibraries published a letter advocating to CVAC, pointing out that CDC identifies libraries in Group 2 w/Education, but Idaho has left libraries out (so far!). Library workers interact with hundreds/thousands of people indoors, handling shared objects, often in old bldgs
public libraries in particular are providing critical support for families outside of work and school environments (nevermind how essential to homeschooling families here!) if we were vaccinated think of what more we could do confidently to fight literacy loss!
Public library workers are a lifeline to many seniors struggling with isolation and with our strict safety protocols, some have told me they feel safer coming to our library than the supermarket. libraries are their connection to the world for some!
In addition to fearing that #idleg is going to gut funding for public library districts this year, staff are anxious about even showing up to work, now feeling let down by not being included on ANY vaccine lists (yet!)
Every director is trying to balance safety & service with the situation (& governance) they have but libraries have been totally adrift in #idaho in this pandemic. no guidance from anywhere. yet we have continued to help ppl fill out unemployment forms, job applications/
how to sign up for vaccine appts (that we can't get yet), supporting struggling readers & families that can't afford to buy entertainment. just yesterday there was a person who brought an extension cord & plugged in the ext of the bldg using wifi & power from the parking lot
library workers are still helping daycares, teachers, after-school programs with their literacy programs. our library goes directly to low-income housing apartments and helps provide PRINTING to those families trying to juggle virtual school w/out printers
all libraries DO is provide community services, like that is literally our mission. but w/out the funding, the protections, the nature of our work puts everyone at higher risk. Just like teachers, just like postal workers, just like others listed in the vaccine priority groups
and w/limitations on funding already in existence library workers are low-paid, over-extended, and left out in the cold despite giving their heart & souls to their work. We don't often ask ppl to speak up for us, but we really need ppl to speak up for us
