From the State Library

Making Sense of the Moment:
The Library’s Role in Helping Us Understand Race and Racism:
The last few months have been wrought with pain, protest, anger, and a call for change. These are not new issues, new pain, or new problems. Individuals and libraries are starting to have critical conversations about equity, diversity, and how to update policies and procedures to start to undo systemic racism in our profession and in our communities.  The State Library of Ohio and Bexley Public Library are excited to contribute to this conversation with an online, live presentation and Q&A titled Making Sense of the Moment: The Library’s Role in Helping Us Understand Race and Racism.  The virtual event will be held August 14 at 10 a.m. and a recording will be shared with those who cannot attend live. The presentation is geared toward all Ohio library staff at all library types.
 
In this session, Dr. Hasan Kwami Jeffries will begin by exploring the roots of race and racism in American society, examining the centrality of slavery to the nation’s founding and highlighting the continuing impact of slavery’s legacy. His presentation will take an honest look at how our nation’s past is the key to understanding the persistence of racial inequality today and is essential to creating a more equitable and democratic tomorrow. Dr. Jeffries will build upon this foundation to specifically examine the role of libraries and library workers in the context of antiracism work.
 
After his presentation, Dr. Jeffries will be in conversation with Erin Kelsey, Library Consultant at the State Library of Ohio, about how race and racism impacts the work of libraries and how library workers are integral to building equity in our communities.
 
Click here to register. Registrants will be sent a zoom link via email in a few days prior to the event. A recording will be uploaded and available for viewing if you can’t make the live event.
In partnership with Bexley Public Library, Making Sense of the Moment is supported by the State Library of Ohio with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
 
Please email questions to Erin Kelsey at ekelsey@library.ohio.gov


COVID:  How to deal with problem behaviors related to COVID-19
Some of the issues covered:

• How to ask someone to wear a mask.
• How to get social distance when someone is standing too close.
• How to handle someone showing symptoms (coughing, etc.)

 
When: Thursday, August 13 at 2:00 pm EDT

Length: 1 Hour
 
Pre-Registration Required:  https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3015832712254/WN_igsAhx1sRzaUnae6BTAdQQ 
 
Anyone who misses a live event can watch it on Niche Academy a few days later.
 
A former director of a Chicago homeless shelter, Ryan Dowd is the author of The Librarians Guide to Homelessness: An Empathy-Driven Approach to Solving Problems, Preventing Conflict, and Serving Everyone.  He travels all over the United States speaking to libraries about how to best help homeless patrons using empathy and respect.  He also provides training to police departments, nonprofits and other organizations on how to compassionately manage problematic behavior from troubled individuals.
 
If you have trouble accessing the training upcoming webinar, email Erin Kelsey, library consultant at the State Library of Ohio at ekelsey@library.ohio.gov.