Dear All

Here is a summary of responses to my original query regarding staff
uniforms in Public Libraries.



Responses to Staff Uniforms posting on Lis-pub-libs by Louise Cunningham

Thank you to everyone who has responded to my query with regard to staff
uniforms in libraries. I would like to make it clear that I do not speak
for my authority as a whole in this summary. To my knowledge this is not
something we are considering here in Manchester. My query to the list arose
out of discussions held by a team of staff formulating a new Quality &
Customer Care Strategy of which I am a member. We were curious - how many
library authorities had uniforms and wondered what the staff thought of
them.

Not surprisingly, I have had plenty of responses pleading ‘confidentiality’
from the many of you out there who have uniforms and hate them or have
described the implementation of a staff uniform going down like a lead
balloon in your authority.

We have a dress code in Manchester Libraries that all staff agree to work
under and must adhere to - and they do so without complaint…so it’s
obviously not too restrictive! No jeans, no cycling shorts, no vest tops
and a general commitment to being clean and tidy at work. We do have name
badges, although they are not popular, are cheap and nasty plastic unlike
the nicer engraved metal ones that every other one of our departments seems
to have….a bone of contention at all levels here!

Personally I do not like the idea of staff uniforms in public libraries.
Uniforms can present our users with an authoritarian barrier which does not
assist us in delivering services that we strive to make as accessible as
possible to all our users. The fewer barriers, real or imagined in the eyes
of the public, to the services we offer the better.

 Sustainability of uniform schemes, or rather lack of it seems to be where
most of these schemes fail. Can an authority justify spending a
considerable figure into the hundreds on individual staff uniforms whilst
their bookfund is frozen preventing the purchasing of books, videos, etc
for their local libraries? This has happened in one authority.  Money being
found for uniforms but not books has caused considerable outrage amongst
staff as well as comment from public and press alike.

One respondent tells how their authority has pushed their frontline staff
to the depths of low morale forcing them into uniforms that no one wants
under threat of disciplinary action for failure to comply. With regard to
providing our users with the best possible service and ‘customer care’ by
library staff we should never underestimate the negative impact of schemes
lacking the ‘ownership’ of frontline staff. Good customer care begins with
staff who feel valued and respected by their employers/managers. Staff
feeling unhappy at work as a result of a system or procedure over which
they have no control will probably feel resentful and customer care may no
longer be the high priority at work that it should be.

One respondent comments that uniforms are only worn by library counter
staff. This could be seen as being rather divisive.

Some authorities have voluntary staff uniform schemes. These seem to work
well with uptake of the schemes in some cases increasing. Staff
consultation is definitely the key to ensuring these schemes are successful.

The following constitutes a summary of replies.


NORWICH
At the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium library we have a sweatshirt and
polo shirt with the logo on it. Staff don't have to wear it, but we
encourage them to and many do. We've only got that far, so haven't got
involved in clothing allowances etc. I'd be interested in the feedback
you get.

Our delivery drivers do have uniforms



BEXLEY

I previously worked in an authority where we opened a new library and
did have a uniform of sorts - white or pink top and black bottom (so to
speak). It was a real business to get agreement and acceptance from
staff; it cost quite a bit; there was no revenue funding to keep it
going, so it gradually folded over 2 or 3 years.

Good luck - I do actually think it's a good idea IF you can pay for it,
as libraries are generally very poor at identifying staff as such. We
somehow seem to feel that we're above such things, but you only have to
go to a supermarket to see how useful it is to have staff readily
identifiable.

NEWPORT

We have corporate polo shirts for all front line staff which are worn on a
voluntary basis, yellow, green or white tops to match our corporate logo.
We wanted all staff to wear them but there was quite a bit of hostility
about this and so went for the voluntary arrangement.. Quite a few staff
who were reticent like wearing them now as this leads to a team approach
when working together. The public can also easily identify staff especially
across central library.

Any grade can wear them and all management have access to the polo shirts
which are great for outdoor events or joining in activities such as
children's storytimes, fairs etc.

Staff have several changes of shirt for laundry purposes and we replace
them when necessary.

SUNDERLAND

City of Sunderland libraries have had all front line staff wearing uniforms
for a number of years now. In the main there have (as far as I'm aware)
been few problems with this. Currently the uniform consists of a number of
shirts or blouses free for staff - they supply their own skirts / trousers.
Staff like the fact that they do not have to use their own shirts/blouses
for work and the customers can identify staff members easily

KILKENNY


In Kilkenny County Library there is a uniform for female staff. This was
originally requested by the staff. It's use is optional. The cost is partly
borne by our employer, Kilkenny County Council. This uniform is also worn
by the other staff members of Kilkenny County Council.It consists of a
suit - skirt and/or pants-, blouse and waistcoat.The staff can opt for what
ever combination they wish.The uniform is changed every 3-4 years and there
is a vote on a selection of cloths and styles on offer.People who opt for
the uniform are usually happy to wear it. There is no compulsion to wear it
even if you have bought it. It is also possible to pay for the uniform over
a period of time and the deductions are made directly out of wage/salary
cheques..


This is something which came up about 10 or 12 years ago when I worked for
the Isle of Wight County Council, when it was proposed that library staff
should wear uniforms. I seem to remember it was quite well received by
staff, most people liking the idea of the authority paying for the clothes
we would wear to work. It got as far as catalogues of possible uniforms
being sent out for staff to make suggestions as to what they would like and
there was still quite a lot of support with most people going for plain
colours and a variety of shapes of skirts with a jacket and plain blouse
(the only quibble was nylon blouses rather than cotton I remember). There
was also some issue over how many items of clothing male staff would get as
opposed to female staff but I can't remember exactly what the problem was.
However, everything stopped at that point, supposedly because when it was
discussed by councilors one of the councilors said it would be a good idea
because it would stop the staff looking like (I can't remember the exact
phrase but this is the meaning) "scruffy hippies"! End of project!!

Kirsty Robinson

Divisional Information Librarian, South Division
Hampshire County Library,

MERTON

We last visited the uniform idea about 8 years ago I think. Opinions were
divided; some people were very much in favour and other people were of the
'over my dead body' school.

In the end we didn't get uniforms. I think it was at least partly on
grounds of cost.
Things like needing several sets each because of getting dirty at work (a
real possibility in many libraries); all staff would need uniforms even when
not regularly working in libraries as HQ staff might be called on at any
time to do relief; Saturday assistants who only worked 4 hours a week would
still need uniform; maternity clothes would be needed regularly for pregnant
staff; cost of replacement for worn-out uniforms etc.

We compromised by wearing name badges; which also caused great controversy
(issues of security for women especially)... but that's another story.

WEST LOTHIAN

We have a council uniform which is available for all front line staff. It is
not compulsory for staff to wear it if they do not wish to enter the scheme.
If staff do enter the scheme they are expected to wear the uniform whenever
they are on duty