Library workers hope the public will support their request for civil service protections ahead of Election Day.
Memphis Library Supporters have canvassed neighborhoods to advocate for referendum 5966. The grassroots organization is hoping Memphians vote “yes” to the ballot measure on November 3rd.
The initiative comes months after the Memphis City Council passed an ordinance placing the referendum on this year’s ballot, which lets Memphians decide if library workers will be granted civil service protections or remain political appointees.
If granted civil service status, library workers would be able to have certain safeguards and the opportunity to collectively bargain.
“Right now, our colleagues can be fired without cause,” Memphis Library worker, Casey McKoon, said. “Other city workers have civil service so this campaign is about fairness. We just want the rights and dignity that other city workers have.”
Tiandra Robinson, campaign lead and staff organizer with Communications Workers of America(CWA), said the campaign started in 2024 after conversations with library employees. She said prior to CWA getting involved, workers wanted to know how they could feel more protected.
“Workers over the years voiced that they had a very low morale,” Robinson said. “Things weren’t really improving overall, even though there was direct conversation with leadership regarding working conditions.”
Robinson said library employees voiced concerns over building infrastructure, safety, “policies that don’t support work-life balance,” and more.
Library workers came together and reached out to CWA to see how they could make improvements for themselves. During this process they began a push to gain civil service protections, which Robinson said are the same protections that city employees have.
A “yes” vote to Referendum 5966 is a vote to strengthen the library for not only library workers but also for the community, Robinson said.
“Library workers that don’t feel protected are moving on to other jobs, and we’re moving talent, and retention of knowledge of services, et cetera,” she said.
Denise Yewell has been a librarian with Memphis Public Libraries since 2023, after serving as an elementary school teacher for 23 years.
As a librarian, Yewell said she’s always valued public service towards others. She feels that the country provides “few safety nets” and being a librarian allows her and others to serve society.
“Everything that we do is free,” Yewell said. “There’s so few things in life that are free, but libraries and librarian services are free and its such a necessary service for people.”
She added that she “absolutely loves” providing free services with a smile and efficiency, which lead her to advocate and canvas for her and other library workers.
Yewell said in her experience, the public has been supportive of the cause, and many were shocked to find out that they were political appointees. She said she hopes this momentum stays as Election Day nears.
“We’re not asking for much,” Yewell said. “We’re not asking to be unionized, not yet. We just want people to recognize us and recognize that we deserve the same rights and privileges as every other civil service worker in Memphis.”
