The quality of a community's schools is one measure of its well-being. When parents and educators work together, generations of children flourish.

The same is true for public libraries, which bring the joys of reading, learning and access to a larger world to thousands of community members.

These essential services often face unfair fiscal pressures, making the work of dedicated staff more difficult. With that in mind, NYSUT and the 4,000-member New York Library Association have agreed to a formal affiliation. NYSUT will support the state lobbying efforts of NYLA, which represents librarians and libraries.

Describing libraries as "one of the most important pieces of the educational mosaic," NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi said they need additional support in difficult economic times.

"This affiliation strengthens both organizations and allows each of us to more effectively serve our members," he added.

NYLA leaders also applauded the agreement. "We feel partnering with NYSUT will increase our ability to advocate for the interests of our members, protect against potential cuts and further our legislative agenda," said NYLA President Josh Cohen.

How it works

As it does in a similar professional affiliation with the New York State Psychological Association, NYSUT will work with NYLA to advance legislation supporting the organization's members and its aims.

However, NYLA also will help NYSUT organize librarians to obtain greater funding and win better pay and benefits.

In the last legislative session, state lawmakers restored only $10 million of the $18 million the governor cut in library aid. Advocates hope cuts of that magnitude can be prevented with this new clout.

Cuts jeopardize access to reading materials at a time when unemployment and fiscal distress make it more difficult for families to purchase them.

The new arrangement helps cement a longstanding working relationship among librarians, no matter where they work.

"In our schools, colleges and communities, the 2,000 librarians who are already NYSUT members and the 4,000 members of NYLA perform a vital role promoting reading, and sustaining and preserving knowledge for current and future generations of New Yorkers," Iannuzzi said.

Marcia Eggleston, a long-time activist in the Norwood-Norfolk Teachers Association in the North Country, and one of NYLA's statewide leaders, believes her colleagues should consider the benefits of unionizing.

"Public libraries can benefit from union membership because of the protection of a contract," she said. "Having an organization such as NYSUT behind you is crucial when there are problems with management or working conditions," she said.

Mary Donohue is another librarian with a foot in NYSUT and NYLA. She has worked in public libraries and has been a union member for the past 18 years at Fulton-Montgomery Community College, where she is a library director and professor. She was recently elected a statewide leader in NYLA.

"This is a perfect marriage of organizations with similar goals and objectives," she said. "Libraries and schools are so closely linked, this will improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers."

Participants at the affiliation signing ceremony between NYSUT and NYLA from left are NYSUT Vice President Kathleen Donahue, NYSUT Executive Vice President Alan Lubin, NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira, Kathy Miller from the Rochester Regional Library Council, NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi, NYLA President Josh Cohen, Marcia Eggleston from Norwood-Norfolk Central School, NYSUT Secretary-Treasurer Lee Cutler, and Jennifer Morris from the Pioneer Library System.

Unionization growing

NYSUT has worked closely with groups of public library staff to win them contracts and a stronger voice on the job.

The New City Library Staff Association in Rockland County, led by President Karen Vetrano, recently ratified a new agreement with annual raises, an improved step schedule and longevity payments included in salaries.

Besides those gains, Vetrano says having an agreement with just cause for discipline rights, a grievance procedure and input into evaluations means "we have protections now."

On Long Island, library staff have made great progress in strengthening their voices, with unions in Plainview-Old Bethpage, East Islip, Port Jefferson, Great Neck, Half Hollow Hills and Riverhead. 

Workers at the Wyandanch Public Library recently won union recognition after their organizing effort and have begun planning their first contract negotiations.

Leaders of the Riverhead Free Library Employee Association also have been working on securing their first contract. 

"We're moving at a good pace to win what we should have," said the local's president and negotiator, Linda Nelson.