Saturday, February 26, 2000
Librarian sues for Sundays off
Claims Butler Co. violated religious rights
BY MICHAEL D. CLARK
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — A librarian is accusing Butler County library officials of violating her religious rights by trying to force her to work on Sundays.
Karen Delue filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati on Friday.
She contends that she has offered to change shifts with co-workers to maintain adequate staffing on Sundays, but that officials with the county's Lane Public Library insist she work a Sunday shift.
“I love my job. I'm good at it and I love working in the childrens' department,” said Ms. Delue of her part-time position at the Oxford branch of the Lane Library at 15 South College Ave.
“I want to keep my job and I want to keep my Sabbath,” she said.
Officials at the main office of Lane Library in Hamilton were unavailable to comment on the lawsuit, which also seeks a temporary restraining order prohibiting library officials from taking any job action against Ms. Delue.
Lawyer Lisa Meeks, who is representing Ms. Delue, said that “in simple terms she wants her employer to accommodate her religious beliefs.”
Ms. Delue said she is a member of the New Church, which is a Christian church that follows the teachings of the Bible and those of the 18th century scientist and theologian Emanuel Swedenborg. She said she worships at the General Church of the New Jerusalem in Glendale.
Ms. Delue continues to be employed by the Oxford library but has been previously disciplined regarding her stance by being suspended three days without pay.
She is seeking back pay and any lost benefits, unspecified compensatory damages, and a temporary restraining order preventing library officials from firing her if she does not appear for work on her scheduled Sunday shift on March 5.
The lawsuit also contends that a library official sent Ms. Delue a letter stating that “all Oxford staff must be part of the Sunday rotation” and that she should “modify your lifestyle or you may determine that your position with with Lane Public Library no longer fits your personal needs.”
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