Have you or your staff encountered a library patron whose behavior is threatening? Are you confident in your ability to diffuse potentially dangerous situations in your library? If not, would you like practical guidance in how to handle these and other safety issues in your library?

On May 3, 2012, MCLS is offering a special program on library security, How to Become a Black Belt Librarian, in Indianapolis. Register online at: https://members.mcls.org/workshops/viewcourse.html?id=291

In this one-day interactive workshop, library security expert Warren Graham will teach you the following tools in your journey to becoming a black belt librarian:

-Essential elements of a truly effective security program.
-How to inform patrons of rules in a way that will most insure compliance.
-How to recognize levels of emotion that a patron may be in and strategies on how to best respond.
-Ten maxims of security no matter the size of your library.
-Easy ways to document your security and safety matters.

Warren Graham is nationally renowned as an expert of day-to-day library security procedures. He has been a security professional for twenty-five years including seventeen years as the Security and Safety Manager for the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Warren has traveled across the United States helping libraries of all sizes acquire a sense of really controlling their work environment. Unlike other security consultants, Warren actually worked in a library, so he is well aware of the problems the front-line, professional librarian experiences on a daily basis.  His real-world approach and strategy, grounded in much trial and error, will quickly give your staff a sense of empowerment and put you well on your way to doing all you can to develop a practical, workable, security program.

This program has been approved for five (5) General Library Education Units (LEUs).