Canadian Library Month

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Hi all…

We are coming to the end of October which is Canadian Library Month.
CUPE represents 22,000 library workers across the country.

Check out these articles from CUPE National and CUPE BC:

http://cupe.ca/come-were-open-library-workers-seen-and-heard
Print the poster from the national site and post in your staff room or on your Union board.

http://www.cupe.bc.ca/get_to_know_library_workers_in_bc_october_is_library_month
I have copies of the book and film lists available if you would some.
Get to know some BC Library workers. (I’m in week 1)

Libraries work because WE do…….

In Solidarity
Denise

Leadership Changes

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On behalf of the Membership and the Executive of CUPE 402-02, we would like to congratulate our Chief Librarian, Melanie Houlden on her upcoming retirement after 31 years with Surrey Public Library.  Melanie worked her way through the library system in many different capacities such as on-call Librarian, Cataloguer, Branch Manager, Deputy Chief Librarian and most recently as Chief Librarian.  Although we are sad to see her retire, the Executive wishes her nothing but the best for the future.

It was also announced today, that Melanie’s successor is our very own Deputy Chief Librarian, Surinder Bhogal.  The  Executive extends our congratulations to her and is excited to see what the future holds.

Our fondest best wishes to both Melanie and Surinder.

CUPE 561 concerned about developments at Coquitlam Public Library

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CUPE 561 is raising a red flag about recent actions of the Coquitlam Public Library (CPL) Board to implement a restructuring plan that would see a 150 per cent increase in management positions.

“Our library is a valuable community resource,” said CUPE 561 Library Sector Shop Steward Allison Hardman. “Instead of spending more than $600,000 on additional management staff, we’d prefer that funding go towards books and resources for library patrons.”

Coquitlam Public Library has created and is advertising for six new management positions which would create a significantly larger and costlier management structure than other public libraries in the Lower Mainland.

CUPE 561 is concerned that the Library Board declined their request to present at their last board meeting, but will be presenting to City Council today to voice their concerns and ask if City Council (the main funder of CPL) intends to give CPL the extra funding to cover the cost of the new management positions.

“Our members are frontline workers who care a great deal about public libraries, especially CPL,” said Hardman. “Without clarity on where the funding is coming from for this restructuring we remain deeply concerned about the negative impact this could have on services. Concerned library patrons and residents should get in touch with the Library Board or City Council and ask them how they plan to pay for all this.”

CUPE 561 represents approximately 70 library workers who support literacy development; recommend and find materials for patrons; provide administrative support to the Coquitlam Library Board; and maintain and provide a public service that is available and accessible to everyone in the community.

www.cupe.ca

Strengthening Canada’s libraries

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Strengthening Canada’s libraries: CUPE a strong presence at the CLA’s annual conference

Jun 6, 2016

CUPE made its presence felt at the annual conference of the Canadian Library Association. Mark Hancock, national president of CUPE, spoke at the conference’s opening session.

“We can work together to fight library closures, like those recently announced in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Hancock, addressing the conference’s 230 delegates. “We can work together to ensure more meaningful and less precarious employment, and to improve workplace health and safety. We can challenge the privatization of public library assets, and lobby for better public funding of our library systems.”

Hancock also introduced the opening session keynote speaker, Chief Wilton Littlechild. Chief Littlechild, a commissioner with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, gave a passionate speech on the rights of Indigenous peoples.

CUPE sponsored the opening session, and had a booth at the CLA’s trade show and exhibition, held in Ottawa, June 1-3. The booth promoted workers’ rights, raised awareness of issues of health and safety, and promoted CUPE’s literacy initiatives.

After 70 years, the Canadian Library Association will be transitioning into a new structure. It will soon be known as the Federation of Library Associations of Canada.

CUPE represents 22,000 members working in libraries – in school libraries, in university and college libraries, and in municipal and public libraries across the country.

cupe.ca