Boulder Library Workers Seek Union to Restore Collective Bargaining Rights

After transitioning to a library district model, staff aim to reclaim lost leverage and strengthen their voice.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 12:05pm

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Employees at the Boulder Public Library have announced plans to form a union with AFSCME Colorado, a process that began in September 2025. The library district's board of trustees is currently reviewing a draft collective bargaining policy, with a final vote expected on April 21. Workers hope unionization will restore their collective bargaining rights, increase job security, and give them a stronger voice in decisions that impact essential community services.

Why it matters

The shift to a library district model fundamentally altered the professional landscape for Boulder's library staff, transitioning them from city employees with collective bargaining rights to at-will status. Unionization is seen as a way for workers to reclaim that lost leverage and have a greater say in shaping the library's future.

The details

The campaign to form a union was announced by library workers in September 2025, and since then they have organized and collected signatures in preparation for the administration's decision. In February, the Boulder Public Library District Board of Trustees tabled a vote on the collective bargaining policy, moving the decision to March 10. While a final vote was not held in March, the board is currently revising the draft to include potential amendments based on feedback from staff and the community.

  • The campaign to form a union with AFSCME Colorado was announced by library workers in September 2025.
  • In February 2026, the Boulder Public Library District Board of Trustees tabled a vote on the collective bargaining policy, moving the decision to March 10.
  • A final vote on the collective bargaining policy is expected during the April 21, 2026 board meeting.

The players

Boulder Public Library District Board of Trustees

The governing body responsible for overseeing the Boulder Public Library and making decisions regarding the proposed unionization of library workers.

AFSCME Colorado

The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union that the Boulder library workers are seeking to join.

Doug Hamilton

A member of the Boulder Public Library District Board of Trustees who spoke to Yellow Scene Magazine about the unionization efforts.

Michael Serrano

A custodian at the Boulder Public Library who believes unionization will help restore the workers' voice and give them a seat at the table.

Christine Burke

A volunteer program coordinator at the Boulder Public Library who sees unionization as an effort to 'democratize' the workplace and protect the library's future by protecting its workers.

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What they’re saying

“'They just wanted a union, is what they tell us. They have publicly stated it's not an issue of pay or benefits, although I'm sure that's part of it. They said in today's environment, they want the protection of a union to feel like safer employees.'”

— Doug Hamilton, Member, Boulder Public Library District Board of Trustees

“'The library board has attempted to, and always, tried to make the library an employer of choice. That's been our goal since the district was formed. I believe our library staff is some of the highest paid, and has some of the best benefits, of all library workers in the state. We have a genuine respect and admiration for the library staff. We are just trying to maintain a great relationship with them and with their union representative.'”

— Doug Hamilton, Member, Boulder Public Library District Board of Trustees

“'restores our voice and a seat at the table'”

— Michael Serrano, Custodian, Boulder Public Library

“'democratize' the workplace”

— Christine Burke, Volunteer Program Coordinator, Boulder Public Library

What’s next

The Boulder Public Library District Board of Trustees is currently revising the draft collective bargaining policy based on feedback from staff and the community. A final vote on the policy is expected during the board's April 21, 2026 meeting.

The takeaway

The push by Boulder library workers to unionize highlights the changing dynamics in the public sector workforce, as employees seek to regain collective bargaining rights and have a stronger voice in shaping the future of their workplaces. The outcome of this process will set an important precedent for other municipal employees in Colorado and beyond.