I know it's not my beat anymore. But Philly libraries will always hold a special place in my heart. And thus, I've decided to use my journalist platform to elevate an open letter from concerned Black workers at The Free Library that has been circulating: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17LEyjd7-_UVOR6kZwDqIlgOrA8uyKdiI/view

The letter notes that Black library staff routinely experience racial discrimination, harassment,
microaggresions, and other workplace biases. As well, they're largely placed in positions like custodians, municipal guards, and library assistants. Graphic: https://infogram.com/free-library-of-philadelphia-staff-breakdown-1hkv2n5rjyjr2x3

At the same time, the Black staff says they have "serious concerns about our health and safety," as the library's front-line workers, most vulnerable to infection.
The letter lists 6 demands, to be addressed before Black staff are required to return to library locations.

The first demand? A commitment from FLP leadership to protecting Black lives on staff.
2. A formal and transparent investigation of Black staff’s concerns regarding physically reporting to Free Library locations.

3. A plan, developed with Black staff, to provide Library services that take into account Black people’s increased Covid-19 infection and mortality rates.
4. Support and accommodations for Black staff whose Library work makes them susceptible to racial violence.
5. Provide...

...Black staff the same opportunities to work from home that white staff have.
6. Staff with librarian degrees who work in mgmt, executive & specialty positions are redeployed to cover the shortages in staff due to Covid-19 & the lay off of seasonal employees. (Mostly Black)

Black staff have long voiced challenges and struggles with internal bias. Here's a story about that from March 2019: https://www.inquirer.com/news/free-library-bias-survey-jim-kenney-cindy-bass-20190325.html ... and let me just say there were many, many stories which didn't make the cut for print.