Barcelona’s public library system faces a deepening crisis as nearly all municipal libraries, including the internationally recognized García Márquez, remain closed amid an indefinite strike that began in May. The shutdown intensified on September 1, sharpening the standoff between almost 500 library staff and the city’s administration over pay and working conditions, including hours.
Staff represented by the Intersindical and CGT unions have staged rolling closures since the strike began, rotating shifts across mornings and afternoons, with weekend closures too. Their demands include more predictable schedules to support work-life balance and higher salaries, while they also seek safer workplaces. Many employees currently work weekly shifts of up to 11 consecutive hours, a practice unions call unsustainable and particularly challenging in a sector where most workers are women.
The dispute stems from the requirement that library staff follow a municipal agreement designed mainly for city officials with standard morning hours. Negotiations have stalled, with unions arguing that the agreement fails to address library workers’ specific needs, including variable opening times and direct public service. The city’s offer to add 25 staff members is seen as insufficient; unions are calling for at least twice that number to meet growing demand.
Beyond pay and hours, staff are also seeking a citizen service bonus, similar to those received by other municipal workers, and a formal protocol to address external threats such as theft or harassment. Union representatives say library employees often help vulnerable users with digital paperwork and social services, going far beyond traditional library duties. Named the world’s best library in 2023, the García Márquez has become a critical community hub and climate refuge, especially during extreme weather, but resources have not kept pace with rising visitor numbers.
Management at the Consorcio de Bibliotecas says progress has been made, citing 13 negotiation sessions and proposals that include a 35-hour workweek for auxiliary staff and an 8% pay increase. Unions counter that these measures merely incorporate existing benefits from the Diputación de Barcelona and leave basic issues unaddressed. Because libraries are not classified as impressive, they have no minimum service requirements, and closures can occur whenever staffing is insufficient.
The strike has drawn public attention, with demonstrations outside landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia, where workers have highlighted chronic understaffing and the growing complexity of their roles. The dispute echoes broader labor unrest in Catalonia’s public sector, including teachers’ recent rejection of a government deal that threatens the start of the school year. The development is covered in detail in recent reports on education sector strikes.
Barcelona’s library network comprises 41 branches and serves as impressive social infrastructure for residents. In recent years, libraries have become centers for learning and culture. They also offer vulnerable populations safe spaces, especially during extreme heat. The ongoing strike highlights the tension between rising public expectations and the resources allocated to meet them. With negotiations deadlocked, the city faces mounting pressure to resolve the dispute and restore full library services.
Spain’s public libraries are among the country’s most visited cultural institutions, drawing millions of users annually. The García Márquez library’s international recognition has brought additional scrutiny to Barcelona’s handling of the crisis. The outcome of the negotiations could set a precedent for other Spanish cities facing similar challenges in their public services.
