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Library workers face unique safety challenges that safety professionals may not often consider. The American Library Association (ALA, 2024) estimates that nearly 124,000 libraries of all types, staffed by nearly 370,000 workers, operate in the U.S.
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, 2024) show more than 2,000 cases involving days away from work, restricted activity, or job transfer (DART) for librarians and media collection specialists, and more than 500 DART cases for library technicians. The most frequent injury or illness event for librarians and media collection specialists was falls on the same level, followed closely by contact with an object and musculoskeletal disorders. Exposure to harmful substances or environments was the most frequent event for library technicians. Both occupational groups mostly experienced sprains, strains, tears, and soreness or pain as a result of a work-related injury or illness.
Some workplace injuries may go unreported in libraries because they are cumulative in nature and do not emerge until after long-term exposure, or because staff may consider an incident as part of the job and therefore do not think to report it. Injuries and potential hazards to library workers include:
* Repetitive stress and material handling injuries. Library staff frequently empty book returns, carry books and other library materials, shift materials on shelves, and check books and materials into and out of the collection. These activities may require workers to...