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The past months have seen threats directed to public and school libraries and library workers, including the forced temporary closure of five public library systems due to bomb and shooting threats. With the safety of our members being our utmost priority, PLA and ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ have compiled a range of resources and knowledge to help library workers and patrons stay safe and prepared. We will add to these resources on a rolling basis.

Preparedness

To prepare for the possibility of a threat, we recommend that libraries review their procedures, which the resources below can inform. This may include a review of emergency procedures and preparations, as well as plans for communicating with internal (e.g. staff) and external (e.g. media) audiences.

In the Event of a Threat

If your library faces a threat to safety, we recommend first notifying local law enforcement and library security, if applicable. After any immediate steps are taken, we suggest you and notify ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ at notify@ala.org.

Guidelines for Library Security

These guidelines identify important issues that collection administrators should address in developing adequate security measures and a strategy for responding to thefts. While directed primarily toward special collections in the U.S., many topics are also applicable to general collections and to special collections in other countries.

ALA Guidelines for the Development of Policies and Procedures Regarding User Behavior and Library Usage

Libraries are faced with problems of user behavior that must be addressed to ensure the effective delivery of service and full access to facilities. Library governing bodies should approach the regulation of user behavior within the framework of the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Code of Ethics, the Library Bill of Rights and the law, including local and state statutes, constitutional standards under the First and Fourteenth Amendments, due process and equal and equitable treatment under the law.

Libris DESIGN was a library facility planning information system and downloadable database that was developed for California Public Library planners in 2005. Most helpful for library building purposes was the Libris Design Planning Documentation (via Archive.org), retrieved here via the Internet Archive, which was a set of reports, as DOC and PDF files, covering various interior and exterior library building topics and issues.

Library Security Guidelines - by LLAMA BES Safety & Security of Library Buildings Committee (PDF)

While these “Guidelines” incorporate or recommend industry standards and note best practices, the document does not attempt to establish standards and in no way implies that libraries that do not or cannot adopt the recommendations are in any way negligent.

Interpretation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) of 1998 amending the U.S. copyright law was Section 512, “limitation on liability relating to material online.” This provision protects online service providers (OSPs) from liability for third party infringement. This means that an online service provider will not be held responsible for the alleged infringements of users of their networks.

Social Media Guidelines for Public and Academic Libraries

This document provides a policy and implementation framework for public and academic libraries engaging in the use of social media. Libraries should also note that most social media platforms have features that can help you navigate online abuse. Such features include blocking accounts (they cannot like, comment, mention, tag, see, or follow your account) and muting accounts or specific posts (so you won’t see them). You can also report abusive content which may get a post taken down or an account suspended for violating platform rules.

Public Library Policy Examples

ALA Resources on Safety, Wellness, and Trauma-Informed Care

12 Essentials for a Safe and Secure Library

¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ Editions offered a that lasted 90 minutes. If you are interested in purchasing an archived copy, or would like to see this topic offered again, please contact dfreeman@ala.org.

Censorship and Mental Health – Enrollment & Key Instructions

This on-demand webinar, originally presented on December 15, 2021, helps participants engage in self-care and prioritize mental health amidst this threat to the freedom to read. Free for ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ members.

Hateful Conduct in Libraries

This resource was released by the ¹Ü¼ÒÆŲÊͼ’s Office for Intellectual Freedom and Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services following a spike in reported hate crimes in American libraries following the 2016 elections. It includes an overview of definitions and terms pertaining to hateful conduct, equity, diversity, and inclusion, in addition to sections on “Provocative Preparation”, “Responding to an Incident”, “Meeting Community Needs”, and more.

PLA Social Worker Task Force Webinar Series

In this on-demand webinar (first in the series), presenters clarify the concept of trauma-informed approaches; detail what this looks like in a public library environment; and preview how understanding and beginning to implement this approach can aid your community and your library. Originally presented September 24, 2019.

In this on-demand webinar (second in the series), the presenters—all working library social workers—show how following a trauma-informed approach can relieve the pressure that results from managing difficult situations, explore methods for offering choices to patrons, and for creating an environment of collaboration and trust at the library. Originally presented November 18, 2019.

In this on-demand webinar (third in the series), members of the PLA Social Worker Task Force continue to explore trauma-informed services at the library. Previous webinars in the series looked at what a trauma-informed approach is and why it is important; this on-demand webinar focuses on how to implement a trauma-informed approach. Originally presented December 18, 2019.

Federal Resources

U.S. Departy of Justice: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

: Provides information about what to do if you’ve been threatened, including the FBI’s national hotline, 800-CALL-FBI

Guides on emergency operations planning for , , and .

U.S. Department of Justice: Community Relations Service (CRS)

: The Community Relations Service provides facilitation, mediation, training, and consultation services that improve communities’ abilities to problem solve and build capacity to prevent and respond to conflict, tension, and hate crimes based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and disability.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)

CISA has resources available to assist with , including , and , and to assist with preventing, protecting against, and .

U.S. Department of Homeland Security: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA offers and .

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ALA Resources on Intellectual Freedom and Advocacy