How to respond to a security incident in your library

CHICAGO — ALA Editions announces an exciting new workshop, How to Respond to a Security Incident in Your Library with Dr. Steve Albrecht. This workshop will last 90 minutes and take place at 2:30 p.m. EST/1:30 p.m. CST on Thursday, June 12, 2014.

As important as it is to try to prevent library security incidents, it’s not always possible to avoid them, and the way you respond when they happen is crucial. Albrecht, a security expert and former police officer, will show you how to respond effectively.

This session will take the top 10 security, behavior, crime or emergency-related incidents that occur in libraries and describe the issues, the concerns and the responses surrounding them. Many of the scenarios will involve challenging or problem-inducing patrons, and others will discuss responses to events that staff might not always know how to deal with properly.

These include:

• angry, challenging, threatening or eccentric patrons;
• unruly kids or difficult teenagers with and without their parents’ present;
• patrons with personal or sexual boundary problems with staff (stalking, flirting, hanging out, doing research about staff);
• domestic violence involving patrons or staff members and how you handle situations when the perpetrator comes to the library;
• homeless (who may bring their bags, pets and friends with them);
• mentally ill patrons with and without their caregivers;
• gang members (who may use the library to recruit, steal, bully or hang out);
• Substance abusers;
• patrons who misuse the Internet (by stalling, hogging or bringing up restricted content);
• patrons who constantly violate library rules (eating, talking, smoking, pets or sleeping);
• emergency situations (involving first-aid, fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, active shooters and other first-responder situations).

About the Instructor

Dr. Steve Albrecht, PHR, CPP, BCC, is board certified in HR, security management and employee coaching. In 1994, he co-wrote " Ticking Bombs," one of the first business books on workplace violence. He holds a doctorate in Business Administration, an M.A. in Security Management, a B.S. in Psychology, and a B.A. in English. He worked for the San Diego Police Department from 1984 to 1999 and is the author of 15 books on business, workplace security and criminal justice topics.

Registration for this ALA Editions Workshop is available on the ALA Store. You can purchase registration at both individual and group rates.

ALA Editions Workshops are designed to give you and your staff the opportunity to participate in a hands‐on learning experience that will help you make the best technology decisions for your library.

ALA Editions publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5418 or editionscoursehelp@ala.org.

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness, and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide.