Public libraries are uniquely positioned to help their communities address substance misuse, homelessness, and mental health concerns, by connecting residents with accurate information and resources. Libraries are seen by many as safe, neutral spaces; but some topics carry fear and stigma that can have an outsized impact on staff and community members’ ability to respond. Compassionate training, policies, programming, and choice of terminology can help remove barriers that prevent people from seeking help for themselves or others, and give library staff the information and support they need to address this and other public health crises. This webinar will use several examples of library responses to the opioid crisis to highlight approaches, resources, and programs that can help reduce stigma and fear and promote healthier communities.

Presented by:

• Tramaine EL-Amin, Assistant Vice President, Strategic Partnerships, National Council for Behavioral Health
• Jessica Styons, Interim Executive Director/City Librarian, New Orleans Public Library
• Sheila Prevost, Public Services Administrative Assistant, New Orleans Public Library
• Kendra Morgan, Senior Program Manager, WebJunction

Tweet: #wjwebinar #libs4health

Access Recording

• View Webinar Recording (You will be prompted to log in to our free Course Catalog.)

Webinar Attachments

• View slides (pdf)
  
• View chat (xls)
• View captions (txt)
• Learner Guide (doc) Use alone or with others to extend your learning.
  

Related Resources and Links

• Beyond Books: Public Libraries As Partners For Population Health (Healthy Library Initiative, a partnership between the University of Pennsylvania and the Free Library of Philadelphia)
• Language Matters, Addiction Policy Forum
• Addiction-ary
• NARCAN program for public libraries
• Mental Health First Aid: www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org and Find a course
• American Libraries Magazine on Mental Health First Aid in Libraries
  
• On Good Samaritan Laws
  
• Public Libraries Respond to the Opioid Crisis with Their Communities, project page
• Publications
  • Public Libraries Respond to the Opioid Crisis with Their Communities: Summary Report (October 2019)
    
  • Public Libraries Respond to the Opioid Crisis with Their Communities: Case Studies (October 2019)
    
  • Denver Public Library: Opioid Response Profile (July 2019)
  • Barrington Public Library Case Study (pdf)
  • New Orleans Public Library Case Study (pdf)
  • Salt Lake County Library Case Study (pdf)
    
  • Public libraries respond to the opioid crisis in collaboration with their communities: An introduction (Spring 2019)
    
• Facebook group, Libraries and the Opioid Crisis
• Denver Public Library partners with County Mental Health for Mental Health First Aid Training
• The State Library of Ohio provided grants to libraries to offer MHFA in their communities: library.ohio.gov/documents/mental-health-first-aid-rfp