New report sheds light on impact of far right attacks on library workers 

A new report released today by UCD academics, and supported by LGBT Ireland, looks at the impact attacks on library workers have had on these workers and their workplaces.  

The report, Resisting Hate and Navigating Agitation: Perspective and Voices of Public Library Staff & Librarians Against Reactionary Responses to LGBTQ+ materials is based on qualitative interviews with library workers, conducted between June-October 2024.  

It finds that the actions of agitators have significantly impacted public library staff’s emotional and mental wellbeing, and that staff felt the training they received was lacking.  

Library staff reported a pervasive undercurrent of anxiety and unease in their workplaces relating to agitation and disruption across public libraries, which has been amplified by social media posts, media reporting, and accounts of incidents in other libraries, shared amongst colleagues and library networks. 

The implementation of comprehensive safety measures in libraries has become paramount in response to increasing agitation and disruption.

This includes the development of safety plans with staff input, installation of panic buttons, and fostering connections with local Gardaí.

A buddy system has also been established in some areas, particularly for rural branches, to ensure immediate support during incidents. 

Speaking about the report Richy Carrothers, Head of the Local Government and Local Services division of Fórsa said: “The findings of this report validate and vindicate everything we have said over the past 2 years.

“Library workers were essentially left to defend themselves and rely on their union when their own safety was under attack in their place of work.

“That simply isn’t good enough.  

“We warned local government employers that this wasn’t ever going to be a once-off isolated incident.

“This report is very important because it amplifies our members’ voices and highlights the threat that remains live.

“The local government sector must be proactive and commit to taking every step necessary to protect staff.” 

 Dr. Páraic Kerrigan, Assistant Professor and Deputy Head of School in UCD’s School of Information and Communication Studies, said:  

 “Access to diverse information is the foundation of a thriving democracy.

“Libraries stand as pillars of inclusion and knowledge, and any agitation and disruption of public libraries and their workers in providing LGBTQ+ materials is not merely an attack on these resources but an assault on democratic values themselves.

“Protecting the freedom to access information for all communities is essential to sustaining an open, informed, and inclusive society”. 

Mr Carrothers further said public libraries serve as essential hubs for knowledge and creativity and are safe spaces for individuals of all ages and backgrounds to explore new ideas, develop skills, and connect with others. 

“Library workers play a crucial role in all of this, offering personalised assistance, organising events, and creating an inviting atmosphere where everyone feels welcome.

“An attack on a library worker is an attack on the vital public services they provide” he concluded.  

Fórsa is the main union for library staff, with about a thousand library workers currently in its membership.

There are 330 library branches and 31 mobile libraries in Ireland.