“It is not in the debate for or against the health pass that we are positioning ourselves, but on its application in libraries where we are asking for the checks to be stopped by the agents. It is contrary to our values and mission of universal welcome, it puts us at odds. It is a violation of professional ethics. Like Nazim, nine of the eleven librarians went on strike this Saturday, all morning in front of the Romainville media library, which has 3,800 active users.
Their movement supported by the FSU union is also part of the national notice filed on September 1 by Sud. A petition has also been launched to support the demands. “We are not a swimming pool or a laser tag but a public place of information which must remain open to everyone, adds Hélène, also a librarian. And me, what I have a problem with is that citizens are being asked to control other citizens. It’s not my role! »
Michel who accompanied this Saturday morning, his 11 and a half year old daughter to the media library had to turn around, not without having first taken the time to discuss with the strikers. “We came to return works and take them back,” he sums up. I am in favor of the health pass, which can help us get out of this pandemic, but I understand the difficulties of librarians, I understand their concern not to deprive people of free and free access to knowledge, especially in working-class neighborhoods. We come here almost every week. It is a real wealth. »
The mayor claims not to have noticed any tensions linked to the establishment of the pass
“Our situation is all the more incomprehensible since the public information library (at the Pompidou Center) is accessible without a pass, like the research libraries and reading rooms of the National Library of France”, adds Nazim.
However, it is difficult to assess the impact of the mandatory check on attendance at the media library. “We have a lively dialogue with the agents but we must apply the law”, reacts this Saturday the mayor of Romainville, François Dechy (DVG). He also indicates that he has not observed in the city services and the animations of tensions linked to the establishment of the health pass. “We fired off a fireworks display this Friday, no visitors were turned away, underlines the elected official. Of the 1,500 spectators, around thirty people did not have a pass but they were able to go to the test center opposite the event to be tested. »
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