Social Library, Volume 121
Jennifer Peterson
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13 November 2018
Welcome to the latest edition of our Social Library series, highlighting a range of events and displays that libraries are showcasing on their Facebook pages. From a library tour to books for trick or treaters, and from book displays to Mental Health First Aid, these examples are sure to inspire. If you'd like to see your library featured in an upcoming edition, please let us know via [email protected] or find us on Facebook.
- Rockford Public Library in Illinois created a Veterans Day book display this week. A simple sign and relevant books can build awareness and help recognize local veterans for their service. The Las Positas College Library created a list of 105 veterans-related titles in WorldCat.org. Remember that WorldCat Lists created by users can be a great way to find books that don't fit neatly into a subject area.
Jaffrey Public Library in New Hampshire gave away over 500 brand new books to trick or treaters on Halloween. Thanks to Julie Perrin, Jaffrey's library director, for contacting us with this fantastic alternative to candy! The post thanks "all the donors, big and small, who made this possible."
- Peoria Public Library in Illinois has a book display at their Lakeview Branch with an exhibit on Transgender History in the United States by the Peoria Transgender Society. Working with community partners can be a great way to showcase collections, and again, a search on WorldCat Lists can be very helpful!
- Downers Grove Public Library in Illinois hosted a Mental Health First Aid Training this week, presented by NAMI DuPage. We're seeing libraries providing both staff and patron opportunities for this training through Mental Health First Aid. You can explore options for finding instructors and training on the site, and here's a bit about why mental health first aid matters. "Most of us would know how to help if we saw someone having a heart attack—we’d start CPR, or at the very least, call 9-1-1. But too few of us would know how to respond if we saw someone having a panic attack or if we were concerned that a friend or co-worker might be showing signs of alcoholism. Mental Health First Aid takes the fear and hesitation out of starting conversations about mental health and substance use problems by improving understanding and providing an action plan that teaches people to safely and responsibly identify and address a potential mental illness or substance use disorder."