PROPOSAL TYPE
Roundtable
SEEKING
- Seeking Additional Presenters
- Seeking General Feedback and Interest
RELATED TOPICS
- Advocacy
- Labor and Organizing
- Place
ABSTRACT
Staff at New York Public Library first gained union benefits in 1917. Today, Local 1930 is part of public employee union DC37, serving 88 branches and three research libraries. The history of the origins of Local 1930 abides “the work of revolution,” highlighting a major civic achievement for workers in a system threatened with budget cuts, censorship, and political bias. Researching the history of NYPL union action shows how NYPL resources and research methods of librarians can best serve the information behaviors of the public. The history of the union is both a history of a “revolution” and a demonstration of research in the collections of the institution which the union represents in support of public history.
DESCRIPTION
I am curious if AASLH and NCPH find this topic fitting for the conference agenda. I’d argue it might have relevance on multiple levels: the act of research, served by NYPL collections and research staff at the public reference desk; researching NYPL labor origins in particular; and connecting NYPL labor origins with the function and purpose of NYPL research libraries, which not only explores a milestone in labor rights but also the role of reference librarians in public history. If acceptable, a slideshow presentation on the subject would be the preferred format, but if not available, I would look forward to adapting the topic into a roundtable discussion on related subjects.
If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly:
Andy McCarthy, New York Public Library, [email protected]
All feedback and offers of assistance should be sent by November 15, 2025. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.