THE City of Edinburgh Council has confirmed reports from the Unison trade union of violence against library workers in the city.
This follows nationwide reports of violence and aggressive incidents against public sector workers.
The council has confirmed that reports of such incidents in Edinburgh have reached them after a question was posed by SNP councillor Finlay McFarlane.
According to the council, these incidents, “similar to other libraries across the UK” frequently involve “anti-social” and “disruptive” behaviour “targeting” the service.
Edinburgh Central Library (pictured above) is one of the largest in Edinburgh (C) Victuallers / Wikimedia Commons
It is understood that Unison has been placing fliers around the City of Edinburgh Council offices which highlight reports of rising violence and aggressive incidents against library staff.
Councillor McFarlane decided then to ask an exploratory question regarding violence against library workers in the capital.
The council has now confirmed that it has received reports of incidents “frequently” involving “anti-social” and “disruptive” behaviour.
In her response to Councillor McFarlane’s question, Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Arma Graham, said: “Similar to other libraries across the UK, the directorate is aware of such incidents in libraries which frequently involve anti-social and disruptive behaviour targeting the service and library colleagues.
“Libraries undertake a wide range of actions to ensure the safety, protection and wellbeing of colleagues and to support the provision of safe and welcoming environments for everyone.
“They include: ensuring that library colleagues are aware of and follow the Council and library guidance and procedures which are in place to ensure a consistent, preventative and fair approach and encouraging the reporting of all instances of anti-social behaviour, violence or aggression.”
There were also concerns expressed by Councillor McFarlane about lone working environments for library workers, where staff may be left to deal with incidents of anti-social behaviour by themselves.
Councillor Graham said: “Colleagues working in our smaller libraries can experience short periods of working on their own when a member of staff does not present for work or turns up late for opening the service, or if there are two members of staff on shift and one chooses to leave the building for their lunch break.
“These instances are subject to a lone working risk assessment with measures in place to mitigate any identified risks.”
She also said the council undertakes several preventative measures to reduce the risks for incidents to occur.
These maintain a close partnership with key stakeholders such as Police Scotland, school colleagues, undertake regular risk assessments of the library environment working practices, hold regular discussions with trade union representatives, and support access to training opportunities.
If incidents do occur, the council says it takes “appropriate action” to ensure that the aggressor understand that unacceptability of their actions and provide support any member of staff affected.
Unison has been approached for comment.
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