Libraries told to consider ways for employees to escape aggressive right-wing protests

The Local Government Management Agency also suggested the use of panic buttons and lone worker devices especially for small libraries where only a single person might be working

Cork City Library was forced to close last summer after a group of protesters had planned a gathering outside the Grand Parade building. File picture: Larry Cummins 

Libraries across Ireland were told they should consider having safe rooms for staff or at the very least effective ways for employees to escape in the face of aggressive right-wing protests.

In an advisory, the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) also suggested the use of panic buttons and lone worker devices especially for small libraries where only a single person might be working.

They were also told to put up signage that explicitly prohibited the use of audio or video recording within the building, including with mobile phones.

Cork City Library was forced to close last summer after a group of protesters mounted a banner across the entrance without permission.

The agency also urged all staff be given training in “dealing with difficult scenarios” in the face of increasingly aggressive protest tactics over the presence of LGBQT+ books.

The advisory said as soon as somebody became aware of a planned protest, this should be notified to senior management and gardaí.

It said: “In consultation with the city [or] county librarian and or senior management, decide whether to close the library in advance of the event, based on the risk to personnel or the public, considering the proximity of a garda Station, location of the library and numbers [or] vulnerability of staff at the premises.” 

The guidance said small, rural, or remote libraries should simply close and larger libraries should decide on whether additional security was needed at their building to protect staff.

Library staff were given guidance on what to say, especially to point out that they did not consent to be recorded or for the sharing of their image online.

It said after that contact should be kept to a minimum and that gardaí should be alerted about any threatening language, destruction of materials, or disruption of other service users.

If there is any perceived threat to persons, any panic button or lone worker protection devices should be deployed.

Abusive contact

Library staff were also advised on how to deal with the increasing number of abusive phone calls they were receiving from far-right activists.

Advice for dealing with aggressive people in person suggested trying to stay calm, to avoid prolonged eye contact, to be aware of tone of voice, and to keep a safe distance, and avoid physical contact.

Separately, the agency also issued advice to libraries on how to deal with a flood of requests they were receiving under Freedom of Information (FOI) laws about LGBQT+ books and gender identity.

Councils were told they should strongly consider whether the names of staff should be redacted from records if inclusion could endanger their safety or facilitate a criminal offence.

In ordinary circumstances, the names of public servants are supposed to be kept in FOI records; however, there is an exemption where a risk to their safety is anticipated.

It also explained how they had been repeatedly asked about their policy around books about LGBTQ+ issues or gender identity.

“[We do] not issue instructions to library authorities to make [these] books … or any other books available in public libraries,” they said.

“The LGMA organises the central purchasing of such books and makes arrangements to distribute such books to each library authority.”