LYNN — In order to better prepare the staff to deal with a wide variety of situations, a series of trainings will be held over the next few months at the Lynn Public Library, during which times the library will be closed to the public. The topics of the trainings include de-escalation, Narcan training, mental illness, crisis situations, and working with special populations.
Public libraries have evolved over the last two decades as the ways in which people access information have changed significantly. While providing books for the public to take out and read will always be a staple, libraries have expanded their scope to include access to Wi-Fi and computers, Chromebook lending, and homework help.
Another area in which libraries have adjusted to the times is the increased interactions between library staff and members of the public who come in with issues beyond the scope of library services.
According to Theresa Hurley, chief librarian at the Lynn Public Library, she and her staff have always dealt with a vulnerable population to some degree, but it has increased markedly since the library reopened after the pandemic.
“Librarianship and social work go hand in hand,” said Hurley, who has been at the library for 29 years, starting as a branch librarian. “Librarianship has evolved to meet the needs of the community.”
In order to better prepare the staff to deal with a wide variety of situations, a series of trainings will be held over the next few months. The topics of the trainings include de-escalation, Narcan training, mental illness, crisis situations, and working with special populations.
“We’re providing training in how to deal with traumatic situations,” Hurley said. “It’s essential to give the staff the tools they need to safely deal with the public.”
All 18 library staff members will participate in the trainings.
“We’re pleased to offer this professional development opportunity to the library staff, who play an important role in the community,” Mayor Jared Nicholson said. “Receiving this training will benefit them and the residents they interact with on a daily basis.”
Hurley noted the word “public” in the name of the library.
“Anybody can come in. We don’t judge,” she said. “People come in for a variety of reasons: quiet space, Wi-Fi, fax/print/scan, computers. Sometimes they have no place else to go.”
Regardless of the situation, after completing this training, the Lynn Public Library staff will be better prepared to deliver the services and programs the library offers.
