“One of the most important parts of any library isn’t the building or the collection — it’s the people who work in it."
That's a quote from Catherine Murray-Rust, retired dean of libraries at Georgia Institute of Technology, from when she spoke at the 2022 American Library Association Conference and Exhibition in Washington, D.C.
She's absolutely right, of course. We have often referred to library workers as "everyday superheroes" in recognition of their many roles — as community leaders, champions of diversity and guardians of intellectual freedom.
Public libraries are open to all, and as the British Columbia chapter of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE BC) reminds us in its Library Health and Safety Report, they are among the most accessible indoor public spaces that exist in many communities: "In addition to being information and technology hubs, in many communities libraries are also centers for community building and social interaction. As a result, at times libraries can be unpredictable workplaces."
One of the challenges for staff members at public libraries is that they are often called on to work with marginalized and vulnerable populations. These might include the unhoused, people struggling with mental health issues, seniors and new immigrants. As CUPE BC's report notes:
It is very common for patrons to use the library for shelter, or for the purpose of social interaction with library staff. Libraries often attract individuals seeking information that would be more commonly associated with social services, including English language support, settlement support, legal advice, medical information, job search assistance etc.
The majority of these interactions are positive experiences, but they can also put staff at risk, and emergency situations can arise. That's because, as CUPE BC says, "Library workers, as service providers, are often called on to utilize a wide range of skills on a daily basis in order to effectively work with diverse groups without necessarily having the training or the time to safely do so."
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Libraries can take a number of steps to ensure the safety and security of library workers, from physical security measures to policies that support a safe work environment.
Here are some effective strategies:
Hire security staff: Have trained library security personnel on-site, especially during high-traffic hours or events.
Install surveillance systems: Use cameras to monitor entrances, exits and other areas within the library.
Emergency alert systems: Install panic buttons or alarms in case workers need immediate assistance.
Controlled access points: Limit access to certain areas for staff only, using key cards or keypad locks.
Visitor check-in: Require visitors to sign in and, if needed, issue visitor badges.
Exit checks: Place checks at exit points to prevent unauthorized removal of items or materials.
Regular training sessions: Train workers on how to handle difficult situations, including dealing with disruptive patrons or emergencies.
First aid and CPR training: Equip workers with basic first-aid skills for minor injuries or medical emergencies.
Mental Health First Aid: The fact is, many library staff members do receive training in emergency first aid and CPR, but fewer are trained to recognize signs of mental health distress and identify ways anyone might be able to help in a crisis.
As American Libraries magazine has pointed out, such training “can defuse tense situations, provide needed resources, and most importantly, help patrons through crises.”
Mental Health First Aid training is intended “to raise awareness and break down stigmas, and make mental health first aid as common as physical first aid,” according to Joseph Miesner of San Diego Public Library, which offers an eight-hour certified public education program in the subject.
Participants in the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s Mental Health First Aid course learn “risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.”
Behavioral policies: Enforce a clear code of conduct for patrons to discourage harassment, bullying or violence other patrons.
Incident reporting: Establish a formal incident-reporting system, encouraging staff to report all safety-related events.
Zero-tolerance policy: Create a zero-tolerance policy for any form of harassment, with clear consequences.
Emergency response plan: The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) recommends that every public library have a plan in place that clearly outlines how to respond in a wide range of situations, from natural disasters to emergencies arising from aggressive behavior.
The CCOHS's Health and Safety Guide for Libraries says libraries should consider the following steps when developing such a plan:
Determine how to secure the workplace.
Establish internal emergency numbers and/or code words to alert security or co-workers that urgent help is required.
Identify the circumstances in which a command center would be necessary and how it would be set up.
Assign responsibilities for decision-making and action to staff with the appropriate skills and authority. Appoint alternates in case a key player is absent during an incident.
Provide clear guidelines to follow in various situations.
Provide the training necessary to respond to and defuse potentially violent situations.
Outline how supervisors are expected to respond to reported incidents of violence or harassment.
Identify scenarios where you would call for emergency services.
Identify who is responsible for contacting emergency services such as:
security
the police
emergency response personnel
victim support resources
other outside assistance
Enhanced lighting: Ensure all areas, including parking lots, hallways and reading sections, are well-lit.
Clear sight lines: Arrange furniture and shelving to maintain open sight lines, helping staff monitor activities.
Emergency exits: Mark emergency exits clearly and ensure they’re accessible.
Moreover, it can't hurt to create a space that is welcoming and encourages mindfulness. For our Future of Libraries report in 2022, we spoke with Elif Tinaztepe, a partner and design principal at Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, about how to improve public library design. She reminded us that great library design should also support individual and societal health and well-being. After all, a library is a place to learn, to work and to meet others, but it’s also a place to just be.
Tinaztepe told us that the important questions to ask when thinking about public library design include:
How might we design safe and welcoming meeting spaces to support gender equality? Spaces where regardless of ability or disability, everybody has the same level of quality of experience? Can we also support mental fitness in the way we design spaces, with the way we bring daylight in, with the way we make it comfortable and safe for people?
Counseling services: Offer access to mental health services or an employee assistance program (EAP).
Regular check-ins: Encourage supervisors to check in with staff on their well-being and stress levels.
Stress management training: Provide training on managing stress, burnout and self-care techniques. As we so often observe, libraries play a crucial role in communities, offering valuable resources and services while also contributing to community well-being. To maintain this level of service and ensure a proper work-life balance for their employees, it's vital for libraries to have policies in place to prevent burnout among their workers.
Mindfulness resources: For library workers looking for inspiration, one good read is The Mindful Librarian: Connecting the Practice of Mindfulness to Librarianship by Richard Moniz, Joe Eshleman, Jo Henry, Howard Slutzky and Lisa Moniz.
Digital resources can also be helpful. Among the thousands of newspapers and magazines available to patrons of libraries that offer PressReader, for example, are a number of publications devoted to topics like yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices. (Many of these can be found in the Health & Fitness and Religion & Spirituality sections of the PressReader catalog.)
Community partnerships: Collaborate with local law enforcement and mental health professionals to manage safety concerns.
Promote positive behavior: Engage with the community to build a culture of respect and safety for the library environment.
By integrating these strategies, libraries can foster a safer environment that protects library workers, patrons and community members alike.