Library Journal invites public and academic library leaders to join us for our

one-day, peer-led program on library safety and security.

Join us to explore equity-centered and trauma-informed safety and security solutions for libraries. The day will deliver tangible, actionable information, and networking and facilitated breakouts will give attendees the opportunity to connect and workshop effective safety policies and procedures. 

Check out the program below to begin planning your day!

Program 

9:00–9:45 AM

BREAKFAST & REGISTRATION

LOCATION: TUDOR GALLERY

9:45-10:00 AM

OPENING REMARKS

LOCATION: READING ROOM

Hallie Rich | Editor-in-Chief, Library Journal

John Middleton | Assistant Director, Houston Public Library, TX

10:00-10:45 AM  

WHERE WE STARTED AND WHERE WE’RE GOING: LEARNINGS AND UPDATES from LJ’s April Public Library Safety Summit

This panel will highlight the progress, changes, and updates to library safety that three directors have made since attending LJ’s Public Library Safety Summit in Columbus, OH in April. Leaders will share insights they gained, new practices they have applied, what challenges they still face, and what lies ahead.  

Mary Jo Giudice | Director, Dallas Public Library, TX Bridget Quinn |President and CEO, Hartford Public Library, CT

David Seckman | Director, Jeffersonville Township Public Library, IN 

Moderator: Lisa Peet |Executive Editor, Library Journal 

10:45-11:00 AM  

FACILITATED DISCUSSION – WHERE WE STARTED AND WHERE WE’RE GOING

11:00-11:10 AM

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: QUIPU Melissa Stockton| Partner, Quipu Group 

11:10 – 11:55 AM  

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: APPLICATIONS FOR LIBRARY SAFETY

Restorative justice is an approach to addressing harm and conflict that focuses on healing, repairing relationships, and promoting accountability. Led by a restorative justice expert, this session will detail the practical applications of the practice as a library safety tool.  

Stephen Jackson | Director of Equity and Anti-racism, Oak Park Public Library, IL

11:55 - 12:10 PM 

FACILITATED DISCUSSION: RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

12:10 - 1:10 PM 

LUNCH 

LOCATION: TUDOR ROOM 

1:10 -1:55 PM  

EMPATHY AND SECURITY: COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS TO SUPPORT SAFETY

This panel will highlight the roles of empathy and relationships to compassionate security work, ranging from dealing with individual patrons to establishing official partnerships. This panel will showcase different examples and explore community relationships and partnerships—both formal and informal—that support safer libraries and communities.  

Eddie Kristan | Adult Services Librarian, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, IL 

Katherine Newman |CRESS Implementation Manager, MA 

Sharon Sharry |Director, Jones Public Library, MA 

Rob Simmons | Director of Social Services and Public Safety, Oak Park Public Library, IL

Moderator: Annie Miskewitch |Executive Director, Schaumburg Township District Library, IL 

1:55-2:05 PM

FACILITATED DISCUSSION: EMPATHY AND SECURITY 

2:10-3:00 PM 

FACILITATED BREAKOUTS BY ACTIVITY  

LOCATION: MELDRUM ROOM (1ST FLOOR) 

Breakout Option 1: This is an opportunity for a facilitated Q&A with your peers. Ask questions that are top of mind and crowdsource solutions from each other during this small group discussion. Facilitator: Angela Craig | Executive Director, Charleston County Public Library, SC 

LOCATION: AUDITORIUM (1ST FLOOR) 

Breakout Option 2: This is an opportunity to get into the details and workshop your current policies and procedures. Please bring one or more of your current safety policies or procedures for which you’d like feedback. 

Facilitator: Joel Jones |Deputy Director Library Services, Kansas City Public Library, MO 

3:00-3:20 PM

BREAK

3:20-4:05 PM  

MANAGING CRISES BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER: COMMUNICATIONS AND FRONT-LINE SUPPORT 

How can leaders best communicate to staff and others about a crisis situation, and what should they keep in mind to support staff before, during, and after an incident? How can leaders empower their teams, especially front-line staff, to make decisions and manage certain safety concerns? This “nuts and bolts” panel will get into the details of how to lead staff through crises and crisis communications. 

Sonia Alcantara-Antoine |CEO, Baltimore Public Library, MD 

Lauren Comito | Neighborhood Library Supervisory, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

Moderator: Mary Jo Giudice, Director, Dallas Public Library, TX 

4:05-4:20 PM

FACILITATED DISCUSSION: MANAGING CRISIS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER

4:20-5:00 PM  

THE BALANCING ACT OF SAFETY: SECURITY, WELLNESS, AND LEGISLATION

A panel of Houston Public Library's Safety, Security, and Wellness taskforce will discuss the many balancing acts involved in maintaining a safe and compassionate library. This conversation will cover the complex tensions that can arise with these 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 potentially traumatic     situations.   

John Middleton |Assistant Director, Houston Public Library, TX

Saima Nadir |Chief of Central Library, Houston Public Library, TX

Roberto Zapata |Assistant Director of Customer Experience, Houston Public Library, TX

Moderator: Angela Craig |Executive Director, Charleston County Public Library, SC 

5:00 PM

Closing Remarks 

Hallie Rich | Editor-in-Chief, Library Journal 

Partner

Sponsor

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upcoming online courses! 

If you are a service provider or publisher and would like to sponsor this event, please contact Advertising Director Roy Futterman.