WebJunction is offering free courses this month to help libraries plan for staff transitions, promote library safety, and develop patron policies that promote tranquility.
Proactive Planning for Library Staff Transitions by Bonnie McKewon
Libraries, like all organizations, need to plan for both anticipated and unexpected staff transitions. This webinar will introduce practical approaches to preserve organizational knowledge, clarify processes for current staff and trustees, and ease the learning curve for new employees. With higher turnover rates and the ever-changing nature of our work in libraries, procedures and policies should be updated and adapted proactively, instead of reactively, to ensure that work is accomplished by well-prepared staff, ready to meet changing community and organizational needs. From payroll to password management, and from job evaluations to janitorial, the various facets and functions of the library can be clarified to better support all staff transitions. Learn how both short- and long-term transitions can be navigated effectively and purposefully with a “transition readiness checklist,” moving both library staff and trustees toward a shared understanding of roles and expectations across the organization.
Library Safety and Security: A Holistic Approach by Melissa Munn
Creating a safe environment for the public, staff, and collections is a top concern for libraries. As a public space, this sometimes means that library staff are faced with behavior or events that may feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or illegal. Although we can’t predict or control every situation, we can be prepared to effectively respond to a range of scenarios. This session presents a holistic approach for creating safe environments through strong community relationships, inclusive policies, and empowered staff. Using a trauma-informed, human-centered lens, we explore strategies to create a library where staff possess the skills, and feel prepared, to manage what comes through the doors.
Crafting and Maintaining Effective Patron Policies for Community Success by Robin Newell
Effective library policies are essential for setting clear expectations, defining responsibilities, and establishing boundaries for both patrons and staff. This session will cover the ten most common patron-facing policies and offer guidance on selecting and tailoring them to meet your library and community needs for safe and effective operation. Using a Code of Conduct policy as an example, we’ll discuss how to avoid policies driven by trauma or drama, ensuring they are clear, accessible, and enforceable. Additionally, we’ll explore best practices for policy management, including the importance of regular reviews by directors, boards, and staff, to maintain accountability and relevance.
Unite Against Book Bans Mission: "Unite Against Book Bans strives to stop the removal of reading materials from America’s libraries and schools, which has soared to record highs in recent years. Unite is working to defeat the vocal minority that seeks to impose their views on others by restricting the First Amendment right to read freely."
Unite Against Book Bans Beliefs:
"Would you like to provide immigration services at your library, but continually run up against barriers? Staffing limitations, insufficient funding, legal concerns, and in some cases anti-immigrant sentiment, can make immigration services in the library seem daunting. By leveraging community partnerships, you may be able to meet the needs of immigrant populations while simultaneously advocating for your library.
The Fox River Valley Public Library District serves 70,000 residents in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. The largest town in the library’s service area has a history of antagonism toward immigrant populations and successfully passed an “English-only” resolution in 2007, intended to shame and intimidate Spanish-speaking populations. In response, the library partnered with local organizations to initiate ongoing immigration help drop-in programs, monthly citizenship and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal workshops, and other naturalization services. In this on-demand webinar, librarian Jason Katsion will share tools and tips for assessing the needs of your community and forging community partnerships to meet those needs."
At the conclusion of this on-demand webinar, participants will be able to:
This on-demand webinar is intended for all public library staff, including those with no previous knowledge of the topic.
Panelist: Jason Katsion is public services manager for the Fox River Valley Public Library District in Illinois. He has over twenty years of library experience, having worked in circulation, IT, and reference services. Current focus areas include: auditing library collections for equity, diversity, and inclusion; hosting community-led discussions of social justice issues; and providing relevant and reliable health information to the public. - ALA eLearning
This subject guide was originally based on resources the presenter and program participants shared at the 2017 New Mexico Library Association Mini-conference program Transforming Ourselves through Professional Development.
Pages of this guide are predominantly organized based on the following areas.