On the last page of the Nov. 3 ballot, there’s a proposed change to the City of Memphis charter.
It’s wordy, and barely mentions library employees at all, but workers at the Memphis Public Libraries want Memphians to know that a vote “for the amendment” on No. 5966 means a vote in favor of their efforts to have the same protections as other regular city workers.
“We want to be able to do our jobs, we want to be able to serve our communities, and not have this little inkling in our minds of well, what if whoever’s in charge doesn’t like this?” said Lisa Peterson, a children’s library assistant and treasurer of the Memphis Library Supporters.
Peterson spoke on behalf of the Memphis Library Supporters campaign and not as a representative of Memphis Public Libraries.
If the ordinance is approved by the public, regular library workers will be reclassified from appointed employees to civil service employees.
Currently, all library workers in Memphis — from librarians to material processors — are considered appointed by the mayor, a category that typically includes department heads who occupy roles a mayor is likely to replace when creating a new administration.
Being appointed means no procedures or policies for hiring and firing and no formal grievance or appeals process, library workers have said. Non-civil service employees also do not have bargaining rights, meaning they cannot form a union.
Some outstanding questions remain: The city has said the reclassification will mean all library workers must reapply for their jobs, something the campaign has contested since they already went through a hiring process.
If the amendment is approved by Memphians, it will pave the way for an ongoing union campaign among many library workers.
“Please vote yes,” Peterson said. “This isn’t the library workers asking for something extraordinary. We’re not trying to get all sorts of things that no one else has. We’re asking to be treated and to have the same rights and the same protections as the other city divisions.”
Early voting for the general election and municipal elections is from Oct. 14 through Oct 29. Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026. Visit www.shelbyvote.org to check your registration status and find polling locations.
Katherine Burgess is the government accountability reporter for MLK50: Justice Through Journalism. Contact her at katherine.burgess@mlk50.com
This story is brought to you by MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, a nonprofit newsroom focused on poverty, power and policy in Memphis. Support independent journalism by making a tax-deductible donation today. MLK50 is also supported by these generous donors.