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Library staff and union call for fair wages as contract talks remain in mediation
Summary
Multiple Camden County Library System employees, union representatives and residents urged county commissioners to secure higher wages and faster contract resolution; county officials said negotiations are in mediation and pledged to check status.
Dozens of library employees, union representatives and residents addressed the Camden County Board of Commissioners to demand higher wages and faster resolution of contract negotiations that library staff say have contributed to a staffing crisis.
Sarah Junich, who identified herself as head of youth services for the Camden County Library System and president of AFSCME Local 14 54, told commissioners the system served nearly 500 basic-literacy and ESL students in 2024 and 2025 and hosted nearly 71,000 visits in July across eight branches. "By refusing to pay library workers a fair wage, you are hurting your community," Junich said, urging commissioners to act.
Several speakers described services library staff provide beyond circulation: computer classes for seniors, tax-preparation assistance, Narcan distribution, partnerships with food banks and serving as a cooling/heating center. Staff and supporters said low pay leads to unfilled vacancies and cuts to programming and hours; speakers asked the county to prioritize the negotiations.
Speakers cited pay comparisons and figures. Junich said a Camden County Librarian 1 earns $46,438.76 and noted the 2025 MLA minimum recommendation is $64,022. She said Burlington County pays higher starting salaries for comparable positions. IT and adult-services staff described repeated understaffing and low starting rates that make hiring difficult.
County officials replied that negotiations are in mediation and that the county does not discuss active bargaining publicly. "We recognize the great work that the library workers do," said Director Cappelli. Deputy Director McDonald said the county would check the status of negotiations and "make it very clear that we expect a fair contract for you, and we will do that immediately."
Union representative Yolanda Lawson said an offer from the union had been denied by county council and that the parties had reached an impasse; she urged council to revisit the offer to avoid prolonged mediation.
Community members and elected advocates supported library workers and urged the county to increase transparency and to consider holding meetings at times and locations more accessible to working residents.
No county wage increase or settlement was announced during the meeting. The county said it would follow mediation procedures and consult the library commission and counsel as required.
