Skip to content Skip to main menu Skip to utility menu
Librarianship.ca > Events > Let’s Debrief: Library Incident Support Tools for Front-line Staff

Let’s Debrief: Library Incident Support Tools for Front-line Staff

Date

April 30, 2025 13:00 - 15:00

Location

Online

Details

Website: https://accessola.my.site.com/OLA/s/lt-event?id=a1UTN0000033zmn

As public libraries across North America experience increasingly 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 EFAPS and employee wellness programs can help with ongoing concerns, but immediate support is crucial and can be harder to access or provide. Debriefing can provide a timely and flexible intervention that helps library workers walk each other through the immediate impact of any incident. But debriefing doesn’t just happen without some intentional planning and processes in place.

This interactive online workshop uses real-life debriefing protocols that have been implemented at Calgary Public Library to provide people leaders in libraries with tools and skills to debrief with library staff. Walk through the steps for debriefing, share examples of where debriefing can be used, and discuss ways to establish a process and introduce it to staff. Take this opportunity to ask questions, participate in peer-to-peer sharing, and join group problem-solving.

Intended Audience:
New supervisors, managers and leaders, and colleagues interested in leadership roles. Everyone is welcome.

Date:Wednesday, April 30th, 2025
Time: 1pm – 3pm ET
Location: Online via Zoom

Facilitators:

  • 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 (SORCe). When she’s not at work Becky likes to spend time outdoors with her family camping, biking and snowboarding.
  • Mary Graham is an Assistant Manager at Calgary Public Library at 3 community libraries in the city’s northeast. She has worked in school, university and special libraries, but has spent most of her career in her happy place, the public library. She has worked in many roles at CPL, including Children’s Librarian, Information Services Librarian, and Service Design Lead, and at many different library locations within the city. Her current focus is supporting public service staff to provide exceptional visitor experiences amid the challenges of serving high needs and vulnerable patrons. When she is not at work, she can be found singing with a local choir and parenting her 4 school-aged kids.