Several hundred people have taken part in a march in Cork in solidarity with library workers who have been subjected to "intimidation" and "harassment" in recent months, according to Fórsa.
The rally was organised by the trade union following a number of incidents of campaigners against certain LGBTQ+ reading material entering libraries and removing or ripping up some books.
Fórsa says that such incidents have taken place at several libraries around the country but many have focused on the City Library on Cork's Grand Parade.
"We're here to send out a very clear signal to Cork City Council that our members are no longer wiling to work in a workplace that is surrounded by harassment, fear and intimidation," head of the union's local government section Richy Carruthers said.
"We're here to send out a message of support and solidarity to beleaguered workers in the library in Cork city, we're also standing shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTQ+ community.
"This is a march about health and safety in the workplace. It's also about a positive message about a plural, more inhtegrated social Ireland which is based on equality.
"I think that the turnout here today from the people of Cork sends a real clear message that we are in the majority."
Mr Carruthers said that there have been "multiple incidents" since January and that Cork City Council needs to "act" to protect workers.
He also said the local authority should talk to gardaí about putting measures in place for when "protesters" turn up in libraries to target books.
"Hate speech is not free speech, we can't tolerate this any longer, we need to act," he said.
A counter-demonstration took place outside the city library before the Fórsa march, with some of the counter-protesters wearing jumpers with the slogan "education not indoctrination".
Two men went into the library to look for a certain book, before leaving again when staff said the building was closing.
One of those, Ross Lahive, said he was present at the library to raise a "very concerning issue" regarding libraries.
"They're teaching pornography and teaching kids how to get onto dangerous adult dating apps and we're here to shine a light on this issue."
He said the protesters were "no threat" to any adults.
Another objector, Andy Heaslam, said staff in the library "have a duty of care to make sure that the health and safety of every child that goes in there is put first" and this is not happening.
"They are not taking care of that duty of care with the pornography being promoted in the books."
Cork City Council said in a statement that, following "on-site campaigning by groups opposed to LGBTQ+ reading lists," library health and safety risk assessments were reviewed and updated.
"Library staff took an active role in this review process and new guidelines were issued to all staff.
"Staff and management meet regularly to discuss the rollout of procedures and the safety of staff is of the highest importance to city library management."
