FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8th, 2010

CONTACT:
Anthony A. Caldwell
Media Relations, Public Affairs
Phone: 330-519-1627 | acaldwell@seiu1199.org

Cincinnati, Ohio - Security and safety issues at the main branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County have increased to violent levels, and employees are livid with the superficial response by the library administration.

In a memo to all staff, Kimber L. Fender, Executive Director of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, says, "Over the past few years the Main Library has seen a growing number of security incidents... One change that will be highly visible will be a change in uniform. Safety & Security staff will be switching to the golf shirts with emblems and black or tan slacks"

"We take the safety and security of our patrons and employees very seriously," said Mark Turpin, Administrative Organizer with SEIU District 1199, which represents 125 employees of the library system. "Changing guard uniforms to khakis and a golf shirt does not address the fundamentals of this problem," he added.

Employees ask all concerned citizens to contact Executive Director Kimber L. Fender and request that the library revisit all safety and security procedures and put the safety of the patrons and staff first.