Essex County Public Library management's told the Ontario Ministry of Labour to start counting down to a lockout or strike, as early as June 25.
That's according to the union representing 58 library workers.
The two sides had been at the bargaining table for three days, and CUPE says library managment made the comment on the first day of talks with a conciliator.
Mediated talks are set to pick back up on June 22.
The librarians' last contract expired on March 31.