WebJunction content and upcoming webinars – May 8, 2024

Highlighted Content

Social Library: Eclipse edition: For this edition of the Social Library, we’re taking a look back at how libraries across North America helped their communities celebrate the recent solar eclipse. We know that you probably worked tirelessly to answer questions, pass out eclipse glasses, and promote eclipse-related activities at your library, so now it’s time to give yourself a pat on the back and enjoy stories about how your hard work helped people all across the path of totality—and beyond—enjoy this special day.

Growing library garden programs: Library gardens offer a great way for community members to come together to learn, grow, and contribute toward a healthy, balanced environment. And creating a vibrant community green space or gardening program doesn’t have to be complicated. Across the country—and beyond—libraries are growing gardening programs in their own unique ways. Read on for more partnership ideas, plus resources and tips that can help inform your library’s approach to gardening with your community.

Advancing IDEAs: Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, 30 April 2024: This is the latest Hanging Together blog post, part of a regular series on issues of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, compiled by a team of OCLC contributors.

WebJunction Webinars

These upcoming webinars are open for registration. If you can’t attend a live session, all WebJunction webinars are recorded and available for free in the Course Catalog.

Supporting healthy communities: Public library responses to the opioid crisis

Thursday, May 16, 2024 ◆ 3:00 pm Eastern / 12:00 pm Pacific ◆ 60 minutes

Registration: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/opioid-crisis-support-kit.html

The opioid crisis continues to rage unabated in our communities and worsened in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public libraries have a critical opportunity to support the information needs of patrons dealing with and impacted by substance misuse. Related programming and services are deeply connected to addressing health equity, and they help libraries link community members to critical information that can improve their lives and the lives of loved ones. WebJunction has released the “Opioid Crisis Support Kit for Public Libraries” to help library staff assess their strengths and capacity, identify key local partners with whom to collaborate or coordinate, and plan and implement programming and services that contribute to addressing the opioid crisis. Join this webinar to learn how libraries have found success and purpose with the Support Kit and gain insights to empower your community toward healthier outcomes.

Cardholder signup policies: Access in practice

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 ◆ 3:00 pm Eastern / 12:00 pm Pacific ◆ 60 minutes

Registration: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/cardholder-signup-policies.html

In 2023, BPL launched a research project to collect and study cardholder signup policies from public libraries across the nation. The project aims to identify the range of policies and procedures which govern cardholder access as well as the rationale used for establishing these policies. Research findings have been summarized in a report made available to the library field beginning spring 2024. Join us for a discussion about the inspiration for this study, how the research was conducted, and key findings and takeaways using data from more than 1,800 public libraries across the United States.

Supporting domestic and sexual violence survivors at your library

Thursday, June 6, 2024 ◆ 3:00 pm Eastern / 12:00 pm Pacific ◆ 90 minutes

Registration: https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/supporting-domestic-and-sexual-violence-survivors.html

Libraries are in a unique position to offer resources and referrals to those experiencing domestic and sexual violence and stalking. In this webinar, learn how to identify the signs of domestic/sexual violence and stalking, what/when/how to say something to a survivor, and how to provide resources to someone who does not disclose abuse.

You will learn how to: 

• Identify ways to research and navigate reporting laws and resources for survivors and allies in your state
• Recognize best practices for listening to a disclosure
• Select ways to improve your library's programs and procedures for survivors
• Collaborate with crisis centers and other local partners to support survivors

Thank you,

Becky Wartella

Department of Education

Library of Michigan

702 W. Kalamazoo St.

Lansing, MI 48909