Reminder "How to Deal with Problem Behaviors Related to COVID-19" webinar mandatory for all on-site staff

As we return to a full time schedule, SD&T would like to remind all staff about a webinar that will help us prepare for the re-entry of our customers. This webinar “How To Deal With Problem Behaviors Related to COVID-19” will be required viewing by all employees.

This one hour program is designed to help you with difficult situations related to COVID-19 including patrons who refuse to wear a mask (or refuse to wear it correctly), methods to ensure social distancing with customers, and ways to manage someone who is showing possible symptoms. The program will also review reasons why people might not be complying with policy and suggest some strategies for handling these situations. 

 The recorded webinar is available on the NicheAcademy website.

If you’ve never used NicheAcademy before you will need to register in the program with your name, email, and library system. 

Once you register for this program, you will also have access to other NicheAcademy programs as provided through the Maryland State Library. These webinars are approved for continuing education credit.

After you view the Program Behaviors webinar, you will need to pass a short quiz to show that you understood the material.  You can find the quiz here. 

If you have any questions about the program please contact SD&T.

Social Distancing at the Library - 6 feet everyone

 

Links for Problem Behaviors Webinar and Quiz

 As we prepare for the next steps in our reopening plans, SD&T has identified a webinar to help prepare everyone for the eventual re-entry of our customers.  This webinar  “How To Deal With Problem Behaviors Related to COVID-19” will be required viewing by all employees.  The presenter, Ryan Dowd, is the author of The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness and a trainer who focuses on how to compassionately manage problem behaviors.  

This one hour program is designed to help you with difficult situations related to COVID-19 including patrons who refuse to wear a mask (or refuse to wear it correctly), methods to ensure social distancing with customers, and ways to manage someone who is showing possible symptoms.  The program will also review reasons why people might not be complying with policy and suggest some strategies for handling these situations.

 

The recorded webinar is available on the NicheAcademy website:

 https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3015832712254/WN_igsAhx1sRzaUnae6BTAdQQ

 

If you’ve never used NicheAcademy before you will need to register which will include sharing your name, email, and library system.  Once you register for this program, you will also have access to other NicheAcademy programs as provided through the Maryland State Library.

  

Once you complete the program, you will need to pass a short quiz to show that you understood the material.  You can find the quiz here: 

 

Quiz link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9F36P9D

Don't forget to wash your hands

https://www.facebook.com/JaguarRescueCenter/videos/622522498600112/

Return to Work Safety Videos and Quiz

In preparation for returning to the library we are asking all staff to view a series of videos that will help keep you and everyone else safe while at work.  

View the videos below, and then complete the quiz and send it to your supervisor to show that you completed this requirement.  If you have any questions, please speak with your manager or supervisor.

Wearing a cloth mask properly  (1 min 42 sec)  

Hand washing ( 1 min 26 sec) 

Glove removal (1 min 12 sec)

Preventing Coronavirus at work  (2 min 28 sec) 

Clean your workspace (1 min 16 sec)

Quiz:  to access the quiz, click on the link below.  Once you are in Google Drive, Select File, then Download, and Microsoft Word. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1uyOv9tEKyil5Hcd6GcoI2yfyKz87D6WBZ6mubJiapXI/edit?usp=sharing

Wash Your Hands poster generator - choose your favorite song

I just found a great thing on the internet --  a poster generator for hand-washing timing.  You can put in any song and it prints out a poster showing how much you need to sing to hit the 20 second mark.

I tried  "Love Shack" B-52s , "No Woman No Cry" Bob Marley, "Put a Ring on It" Beyonce and  even the Baby Shark song, and all were perfect.  Try your own favorite song, or maybe print out a few for your family.

https://washyourlyrics.com/  

Lisa

Ten Tips for Comfortable Conferences

This is a great list for new attendees, or as a reminder for the seasoned conference veteran.

• Take a sweater/jacket even if the weather is warm, as the conference hall and session rooms may be glacial.  Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes.  
• Take a refillable water bottle and keep it filled.  Top up at every opportunity.  You never know when you might get stuck in a session without water or start coughing during a keynote.  Fill it before you leave for the day to avoid having to buy $4 bottles of water at your hotel.
• Charge you devices frequently, for they will run out of power at the most inconvenient time.  One tip is to take a power strip with you, that way you don't have to fight for outlets, and you'll be a hero to other attendees.  The best option is to purchase a recharger that you can carry with you, but be sure you have all the cords you need before you leave your hotel.
• Arrive at sessions early where possible to get a good seat (or even a seat at all).  Aisle seats go fast, as do table seats that face the presenter.
• Carry baby wipes, or face cleansing wipes in case of stickiness or greasy food at lunch.
• If there is a huge vendor area, review the list and make notes of those you actually want to meet.  It makes it easier to traverse the vendor jungle and not get lost among the booths.  You also won't "miss" any really important companies.
• Take a small bag of mint/hard candy/breath strips in case of garlic at lunch (not gum).
• Check Amazon.com before buying books at the conference, unless you want to take them to author signings.  Often conference prices aren't the best price and you won't have to haul them back in your suitcase.
• Check the conference app (if there is one) for presentations and slide decks before the first day of the event.  Not only will this save photocopying, but in some cases you can get a sense of the program from the slides and decide if you really want to attend that program.
• Get in a line, it's a great way to meet people.  Lines for registration, meals, general sessions, and even the bathroom are ways to make contact with new people in a more casual way.  The movement of the line also helps keep the conversation brief and can give you a opening to the conversation.  "Have you seen the bags they are giving out this year? or "That lunch yesterday was interesting, I hope today we have better options."

ALA Annual - Safer Libraries

I want to first start out by saying that ALA 2019 was great and I really enjoyed my first experience. The weather in DC that weekend was perfect for a conference. I got to meet some many different people. The atmosphere was inviting and exciting. I had a full itinerary for each day and for the most part, I was able to attend all the sessions I planned to attend.

The opening session featured young adult author Jason Reynolds who spoke of libraries as sacred spaces where all are welcome and one can build a family and be of service. Reynolds also drew a parallel between religious institutions and libraries. He challenged librarians to reimagine their roles in the lives of their young patrons, and to be willing to consider changing the way they do things to meet that role.

My favorite session was presented by PLA entitled, Safer Libraries: Building Staff Resiliency and Library Safety Branch by Branch. In the session staff from DC Public Library collaborated with Defend Yourself, a local company that works to empower people — especially women and others targeted for abuse and assault — to end violence and create a world where they can be fully themselves. Together, DCPL and Defend Yourself developed a library-specific safety training for staff that teaches self-defense concepts such as avoidance and prevention, assertiveness, direct communication, and boundary setting, de-escalation, and bystander intervention.

I am encouraging all my fellow colleagues to please consider attending a conference like this one. I learned so much and can’t wait for other opportunities to attend.

Ashley T. Mitchell

Edmondson Avenue