Dear OCEA member,
As you may know, OCEA has been working alongside your workplace leaders to improve working conditions at OCPL in recent years. In 2024, your stewards stepped up and met with Board of Supervisors staff outlining the issues you all were facing in the libraries. That effort got the attention of Central HR, and since then we’ve been working directly with higher levels of County management to build real communication channels between library staff and leadership.
We’ve now had a full year of Labor Management Committee (LMC) meetings. Our most recent session on Feb. 11 was a meaningful step forward.
Here’s what was covered:
New County Librarian
The Board of Supervisors voted to appoint Samantha Smith as the next County Librarian. Samantha has branch experience and has worked well with members of the LMC team. Both sides received the news positively.
Recruitments and Vacancies
The County provided a recruitment and vacancy report. With the Irvine transition complete, recruitment is now prioritizing library vacancies. Requests to expedite hiring and unfreeze positions have been submitted to the CEO. There are currently 27 total vacancies. The goal is to fill them as soon as possible and build active eligibility lists for future openings. The LMC has requested details on where those vacancies are located.
Regional Drop-Ins
To foster greater transparency and enhance communication, management is now holding monthly drop-in sessions on Teams the second Monday of each month at 11 a.m. Questions can be sent directly to regionals or to branch managers to forward. Branch managers have asked for a way for staff to be able to submit anonymously, but that has not yet occurred. Notes from each session are shared with teams afterward. Forty-six people attended the first session.
Staff Training
Training offerings are currently focused on change management, handling behavioral issues with patrons, and County processes. This supports the library’s strategic plan, which includes improved communication, increased staff confidence, and ensuring employees feel supported.
OCEA-Raised Items
Your LMC representatives raised several issues on your behalf, including exit interview findings that point to a need for more in-person training, desk coverage flexibility at the branch level, a request for training on screen reader software for ADA accessibility, and opportunities for field events outside the office.
Law Enforcement Partnerships
Updates were provided on branches with law enforcement partnerships, particularly where safety issues have come up. Law enforcement is being encouraged to meet branch managers, so everyone understands how safety threats and trespassing are handled. Branch managers are encouraged to reach out and set meetings with your LEOs.
ICE and the Libraries
Administration shared guidance from County Counsel on what to do if ICE tries to enter a library. ICE must have a judicial warrant to enter. If ICE attempts entry, staff should call administration, and administration will contact County Counsel.
Aliso Viejo Branch
Volunteers are needed to help bring books back to the Aliso Viejo branch. Reopening is scheduled for March 25.
The next LMC meeting is on April 8.
Progress doesn’t happen on its own. It happens when you speak up. We’re seeing real movement, and we plan to keep building on it.
If you have issues you’d like raised at the next meeting, contact your LMC representatives, workplace Stewards, or OCEA Labor Relations Representative Alisha Greene at agreene@ocea.org.
In Solidarity,
OCEA
