Library workers face increasingly difficult interactions at the library. How can library staff address conflicts and manage difficult conversations? In this webinar, participants will learn about the nature of conflict and how they as individuals respond to conflict. They will also learn some techniques for de-escalating tense exchanges and resolving conflicts with patrons, volunteers, board members, and others, by acknowledging someone’s feelings or frustrations with empathy and  responding calmly and clearly about the library’s role and/or position. Participants may bring their own experiences into the conversation and consider how they can respond to these situations in the moment going forward.

This webinar is scheduled from 1:30 to 2:30 PM on December 7, and a recording will be made available on this website. There is no cost to attend – this course is on us!

Zoom Registration: https://kslib.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMsdemspj8jGdNPP5BF6BRloe0_dYEpB3Hq

Courtney Breese is Executive Director of the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation (NCDD), a network of innovators who bring people together across divides to discuss, decide, and take action together effectively on today’s toughest issues. She is a trainer, mediator, and facilitator with extensive experience working on state and municipal engagement efforts. She has led various workshops on facilitation for library workers as part of NCDD’s partnership with the American Library Association’s Libraries Transforming Communities Initiative.

Jamila Mindingall is the founding Executive Director of the South Fulton Community Mediation Center. She is also a member of the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM), and volunteers with the Savannah Mediation Center. Jamila has nearly 20 years of ADR experience, having been first introduced to mediation as a paralegal in 2003.  She has a bachelor’s in English Literature and Women’s Studies from Morris Brown College, a master’s in Organizational Development and Leadership from Fielding Graduate University, and a master’s in Conflict Management from Kennesaw State University.

In 1965, Kansas Statutes K.S.A. 75-2547 and 75-2548 established seven regional systems to help local libraries provide library services to all citizens of the state. Through the use of joint planning and financing of library services, the systems improve existing library service and utilize what federal funding becomes available.

Originally the systems only served public libraries, but over time their roles have expanded to include school, academic and special libraries. Each system adapts its service to the needs of the libraries it serves, therefore there are services offered in one area that are not offered in another, however, they come together to work with the State Library to develop goals and determine plans for improving library service throughout the state.