Why take this course: Join an afternoon of guest speakers in this half-day, conference-style program for library directors, security heads, and administrators. Learn practical ways leaders can help create safer libraries by supporting mental health issues, building community partnerships to support safety, and managing crisis communications and frontline support.

Course Program 

Thursday, February 8, 2024  

Session 1 | 12:00-12:30 pm ET

Empathy and Safety: The Role of Relationships

How can relationships impact and enhance safety? What are practical ways you can lead your staff through building relationships with patrons? This session will discuss how a commitment to relationships can help create a culture of safety and wellness in your library.

Led by: Eddie Kristan (he, him), Genealogy & Local History Librarian, Arlington Heights Memorial Library 

Session 2 | 12:30-1:15 pm ET

Community Partnerships to Support Safety

How can leveraging an external partnership support safety measures at your library? What types of partnerships might have the greatest impact on safety goals? This session will showcase different examples of community partnerships that help bolster safer libraries and communities.

Rob Simmons, Director of Social Services and Public Safety at Oak Park Public Library (IL) 

Session 3 | 1:30-2:15 pm ET

Leading through Natural Disasters and Weather-Related Emergencies

In addition to threats or incidents of violence, many libraries are facing more and more climate-related crises. What unique considerations should you keep in mind when managing through a climate-related emergency? This session will discuss ways to manage through these disasters and ensure your staff, community, and yourself are supported.

Dr. Beth Patin, PhD, MIS, MLIS (she, her, hers), Assistant Professor at School of Information Studies Syracuse University, Co-Founder of Library and Information Investigative Team Research Group, Executive Director, Rocket City Civil Rights

Session 4 | 2:30-3:15 pm ET

Crisis Management and Communications

How can leaders best communicate to staff and others about a crisis situation, and what should leaders keep in mind to support staff before, during, and after an incident? How should leaders engage with the media and your community during and after an incident? This session will discuss practical best practices for internal and external crisis communications. 

Led by: Jennie Pu, Director, Hoboken Public Library and LaDonna Weems, Deputy Assistant Director of Communications at Houston Public Library

Session 5 | 3:15-4:00 pm ET

Balancing Acts of Safety: Security, Wellness, and Staff Management

This session will cover the complex tensions that can arise with safety topics, including balancing local politics and state legislation, managing staff and the safety policies they might disagree with, and supporting staff mental and physical wellness alongside your own.

Led by: Sara Slymon, Library Director, Thomas Crane Public Library, Quincy, Ma and Stephanie Chase (she, her) Founder, Constructive Disruption | Breaking Down Barriers to Progress and Executive Director at Libraries of Eastern Oregon  

Join as a Group 

Group Rates

Request a discount for groups of 3 or more and work with your colleagues on a project for your library.

Credit Packages

Purchase packages of course tickets that you can allocate to your staff as needed and apply to our full roster of courses.

Purchase 15 or more registrations and apply them across multiple courses.