Library staff will march today upon Cork’s City Hall demanding an “intimidation free workplace”.
In recent months, protestors have repeatedly entered the library and removed books of an LGBT nature they deem “inappropriate”; the library has made clear it will not be removing the books in question.
Staff claim some of the protestors have been intimidating and trade union Fórsa say library workers have been placed "at risk in their place of work".
“Nobody can agree that barging into anybody’s workplace and [being] abusive and videoing people on camera phones and streaming it live without their permission is acceptable in this day and age,” Fórsa’s Richy Carrothers told Newstalk.
“So, we would call on them to desist and we’re calling on Cork City Council management to carry out an immediate risk assessment to ensure what urgent measures can be [put in] place.”
Cork City Council is a proud member of the Rainbow Cities Network
Cork City is hosting the Network Annual Conference from 17-20 January.
Why not pop into your local library to check out the wide range of LGBT stock within!#CorkCityLibraries #CorkCityCouncil pic.twitter.com/Qkk5lpBkpV— Cork City Libraries (@corkcitylibrary) January 17, 2023
Mr Carrothers said it was a “health and safety issue” and people deserve the right to a “hassle free” workplace.
“Libraries do tremendous work in terms of integration,” he said.
“They’re hubs for social inclusion.”
Library staff will march from Grand Parade to City Hall at 12.30pm.
Main image: 'Tango Makes Three' - a book about gay penguins. Picture by: Alamy.com
