Event Registration - Northeast Ohio Regional Library System
Don’t just shake it off: using debriefing tools to support front-line library staff Competency: Communication, Leadership, and Personnel Management 01/15/26 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
As public libraries across North America experience increasing complex social issues, front line staff are confronted with challenging situations on a daily basis and it is no longer enough to expect them to simply “shake it off”. Systematic supports such as Employee Family Assistance Providers and employee wellness programs can help with ongoing concerns, but immediate support is crucial and can be harder to access or provide.
After identifying the need for timely and flexible intervention, Calgary Public Library explored the process of debriefing and through small pilots and peer training, established a process that can be used by all library workers to walk each other through the immediate impact of any incident.
We will share our insight into the benefits of debriefing, steps in developing debriefing plans that fit a variety of public service contexts, tips on training staff to use this process effectively, and observations of how debriefing supports overall organizational resiliency.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the de-briefing process, what it can (and can’t) accomplish, when it can be utilized, and how it can benefit front-line library staff, library leadership, and library patrons
Explore ways to leverage partnerships and community resources to create tools to support library staff
Provide a replicable framework for other library systems providing service to the public to implement debriefing processes for their staff in a way that works in their context.
Presenter:
Becky Potter is a Library Experience Supervisor at Central Library at Calgary Public Library. Her role focuses on supporting staff with safety and security, community partnerships and library services for vulnerable Calgarians. Previous roles at Calgary Public Library include Adult Literacy and Learning Advocate focusing on community partnerships and community outreach and Program Coordinator delivering programs to community partners serving the vulnerable sector. Becky has worked on community Initiatives including, Financial Futures Collaborative (FFC), Calgary Poverty Reduction Initiative (CPRI) and the Safe Communities Opportunity Resource Center (SCORCe).
Becky Potter is a Library Experience Supervisor at Central Library at Calgary Public Library. Her role focuses on supporting staff with safety and security, community partnerships and library services for vulnerable Calgarians. Previous roles at Calgary Public Library include Adult Literacy and Learning Advocate focusing on community partnerships and community outreach and Program Coordinator delivering programs to community partners serving the vulnerable sector. Becky has worked on community Initiatives including, Financial Futures Collaborative (FFC), Calgary Poverty Reduction Initiative (CPRI) and the Safe Communities Opportunity Resource Center (SCORCe).