The Clamour for Change: A Thematic Analysis of the #ProtectLibraryWorkers Movement

Abstract

This paper examines library workers’ experiences, concerns, and self-described needs throughout
the COVID-19 pandemic via the #ProtectLibraryWorkers movement to establish what kinds of
supports library workers require to successfully handle community-wide crises. Utilizing
thematic content analysis methodology, 600 randomly selected tweets from the first two years of
the movement were analyzed, resulting in the emergence of eight primary themes and 30 subthemes.
Among these findings is a clear and present need for library researchers to reconsider the
types of questions they are asking when it comes to investigating how library workers are
impacted by crises.