The opioid crisis continues to rage unabated in our communities and worsened in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. Public libraries have a critical opportunity to support the information needs of patrons dealing with and impacted by substance misuse. Related programming and services are deeply connected to addressing health equity, and they help libraries link community members to critical information that can improve their lives and the lives of loved ones. WebJunction has released the “Opioid Crisis Support Kit for Public Libraries” to help library staff assess their strengths and capacity, identify key local partners with whom to collaborate or coordinate, and plan and implement programming and services that contribute to addressing the opioid crisis. Join this webinar to learn how libraries have found success and purpose with the Support Kit and gain insights to empower your community toward healthier outcomes. 

Presented by:

• Drea Douglas, Learning Coordinator, North Bend Public Library (OR)
  
• Karen Wilson, Peer Outreach Coordinator, Charles County Public Library (MD)
  
• Kendra Morgan, Program Director, WebJunction

Access recording

• View webinar recording (You will be prompted to login to our free Course Catalog.)

Webinar attachments

• View slides (pdf)
  
• View chat (xls)
• View captions (txt)

Related resources and links

• Public Libraries Respond to the Opioid Crisis with Their Communities
• Opioid Crisis Support Kit for Public Libraries (doc)
• Drug Overdose Death Rates, NIH
• Morgan, Anna, et al., Beyond Books: Public Libraries As Partners For Population Health. Health Affairs 25, No. 11 (2016) https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0724
• Opioids discussion panel event example, North Bend Public Library
• Community Naloxon Training event example, North Bend Public Library
• Neighborhood Navigator
• Video: Words Matter
• San Francisco wants to offer free drug recovery books at its public libraries, Fox 44 News
• Mental Health Conversations, Clare Varesio, Mover & Shaker 2024
  
• Libraries and the Opioid Crisis Facebook group  ​
• Libraries and the Substance Abuse Crisis: Supporting your Community by Cindy Grove
• Additional links shared in chat
• Saratoga Springs Public Library Recovery & Addiction Resources LibGuide
• Info on Deterra pouches
• Fentanyl Exposure in Public Places, Washington State Department of Health