Every school kid learns that the First Amendment doesn’t protect all speech–“You can’t yell ‘Fire!’ in a crowded theater” is the most common example. Today, there are groups and individuals, at both ends of the political spectrum, who feel it’s their right to come into a governmental office and film or photograph the activities of the employees and visitors receiving services. These encounters are usually designed to create a confrontation that the “auditors” (their self-described label for themselves) post extensively on social media. Their goal is usually driven by their desire for publicity, to question the business operations, and even to disrupt the activities.
Libraries and their leaders and employees have faced many of these encounters, usually over content, materials, displays, meetings, or programs the “auditors” disagree with, usually around sexual orientation, race, or political views. Libraries and their employees need to know the best service, safety, and security practices for these potentially difficult encounters.
This is a 60-minute training webinar presented by Library 2.0 and hosted by ALA author and library service, safety, and security expert, Dr. Steve Albrecht. (Steve is not a lawyer and this session is neither legal advice nor a substitute for qualified legal advice from a licensed attorney.) A handout copy of the presentation slides will be available to all who participate.
About the Speaker
DR. STEVE ALBRECHT. Since 2000, Dr. Steve Albrecht has trained thousands of library employees in 28+ states, live and online, in service, safety, security, and supervision. His programs are fast, entertaining, and provide tools that can be put to use immediately in the library workspace with all types of patrons. In 2015, the ALA published his book, Library Security: Better Communication, Safer Facilities. He is currently writing the sequel, The Safe Library: Keeping Users, Staff, and Collections Secure, for Rowman & Littlefield. Steve holds a doctoral degree in Business Administration (D.B.A.), an M.A. in Security Management, a B.A. in English, and a B.S. in Psychology. He is board-certified in HR, security management, employee coaching, and threat assessment. He has written 24 books on business, security, and leadership topics. He lives with six dogs, two cats, and three chickens. (Not all in the same room, of course.)
