Orinda Tiny Libraries Go on Strike, State Work Hours and Unfunded Mandates the Reason

A sad day in Orinda

In Orinda, California, the quaint charm of tiny libraries has hit a significant snag as local "librarians" are going on strike due to long hours and poor working conditions. These volunteer-run miniature libraries, typically hosted in front yards and frequented by community members, have become a point of contention among those who maintain them.

A local tiny library steward, Carolyn Schwartz expressed her unwavering dedication, saying, "It's a 24/7 job. I feel like I never get away from work." Another steward, Ustis Chow, who also works remotely as a product manager for Google, shared her struggles with balancing her professional responsibilities and her passion for running a tiny library. "I spend too much time tracking overdue books. I feel that I never get away from my work," she lamented, underscoring her commitment to the cause.

A survey conducted by the Tiny Library Association of Orinda revealed the top reasons people start their tiny libraries include prestige, peer pressure, and a more straightforward alternative to donating books to thrift stores. Interestingly, some see it as a way to meet other singles interested in reading.

However, many who embarked on this community-serving journey did not anticipate the complexities and costs involved. One anonymous local noted, "I thought it would be a great way to meet single women, them thinking I'm a reader, but I realized I needed to buy books to put in my library. It's expensive trying to look like a reader." This individual resorted to checking out books from the official Orinda Library and placing them in his tiny library to fill gaps in his collection affordably, highlighting the unforeseen financial burden.

The City of Orinda has placed the regulation of tiny libraries under the jurisdiction of the Orinda Parks and Recreation Department, which has prioritized ensuring each library has adequate defensible space to prevent fire hazards. Captain Susan Holden of the Orinda Fire Department emphasized the seriousness of this regulation, "I've seen a tiny library go up in flames like a Roman candle. I can't believe people aren't taking this more seriously."

Many tiny librarians are resisting the defensible state requirement, stating that it is an unfunded government mandate. "We did not build in defensible space clearing costs into our initial budget for running our tiny library. Right now, we see no true path to profitability," said a sad and confused tiny librarian ready to walk the picket line around her tiny library. "Our tiny doors are closed until this big issue is resolved," she stated emphatically.

All Orinda tiny libraries must comply with the defensible space regulation by June 1st, yet many still need to meet this requirement. "I would hate for this town to go up in flames over a non-compliant tiny library," stated Patsey Plume, a principal advocate for tiny libraries and cat parks in Orinda. She is currently running against Representative Mark Andrews in a recall election slated for November. When asked for his opinion on the tiny library situation, Andrews commented, "They are tiny, and they are libraries; that's all I have to say at this time...although I think a strike might be premature." Many watch how Andrews deals with this political hot potato, given it involves a complex combination of public safety, education, and labor relations issues. "The polling is unclear," stated a Save Mark Andrews campaign organization.