Former Bronx librarian sues NY Public Library for allegedly ignoring safety concerns, threatening her
Kelly Coffey says that she dealt with threats of violence, people with weapons and drunk people who would often sexually harass her and steal things during the nearly two years she was employed by the NYPL.
More Stories
A former librarian at the New York Public Library's Parkchester and Eastchester branches has filed a lawsuit, claiming the NYPL violated her rights as a worker by ignoring her safety concerns and threatening her when she brought them up.
Kelly Coffey says that she dealt with threats of violence, people with weapons and drunk people who would often sexually harass her and steal things during the nearly two years she was employed by the NYPL.
"Eight years bartending, no one ever exposed themselves to me," Coffey said, comparing her previous job to her experiences as a librarian.
She said what was almost as concerning was that her workers did not seem to care.
"My colleagues were very like 'This is just the way it is,' and I started saying, 'This isn't normal,'" Coffey remembers.
She tells News 12 that her supervisors also either brushed off her calls for more security, support and training or worse.
"They said that they would terminate me if I continued to be dramatic and emotional," says Coffey.
She says she could not afford to just lose her job, but at the same time, "I wasn't healthy, I was definitely losing weight, I wasn't eating well."
It took counseling and therapy but eventually, Coffey says she was convinced it was not just her.
In October, she quit the NYPL and talked to a lawyer.
"I was literally under a desk crying in a dark office, and I just picked up the phone and called," said Coffey, who was scared nobody would believe her.
Not only did the lawyer, Paul Bartels, believe her, but he agreed to help her file a lawsuit alleging that the NYPL violated her rights as a worker - especially after she told them she was dealing with anxiety and mental health issues as a regular of the conditions.
"Rather than address her concerns, the library harassed her, retaliated against her, and she should be compensated for that," said Bartels.
Coffey says since she started talking about her story - she has heard from librarians both in New York and around the country who have gone through the same thing.
She says if she can continue to raise awareness and let people know it is OK to speak up, the lawsuit will be a success.
The NYPL tells News 12 that while it will not comment on an ongoing lawsuit, "we take employee accommodations and safety concerns with utmost seriousness. We are dedicated to treating our staff across the Library with fairness and respect and ensuring the physical safety of all staff and patrons."
