Please note: This recording is approximately 3 hours in length. A portion of the event was devoted to small group discussions that were not included in the recording. As you watch the recording, you will notice sections with several minutes of no sound.
Description:
Have inappropriate comments or behavior of a sexual nature made you feel uncomfortable or unsafe at work? Like many public-facing employees, it's time for library staff members to say #MeToo. Let's talk about sexual harassment in the Library. We'll start with a short presentation about sexual harassment, how it impacts women, men, people of color, LGBTQ folks, and underage workers, and how it manifests in the library. Then, we'll talk through some techniques you can use to professionally but firmly address these behaviors, ways you can support your coworkers, and ideas for starting the conversation with your administrative team. For managers, we'll look at how to coach and support your team, promote a safe work environment, and a policy review.
Topics:
- Overview of sexual harassment (definitions, signs, impact to staff, an intersectional approach, and how it manifests in the library)
- Techniques to address sexual harassment in the moment
- Ways to support coworkers
- Ideas for starting the conversation with administration
- Coaching & supporting your team
- Policies & procedures
- Q & A
Desired Outcomes:
Participants will leave the workshop with a strong understanding of sexual harassment in the public library, focusing on harassment from members of the public. They will learn techniques to address sexual harassment in the moment and strategies libraries can implement across all departments to empower the team and create a safer workplace. Through the Q&A session, we'll make time for participants to share their own experiences and ideas.
Presenters:
Katie McLain is a Reference Assistant at Waukegan Public Library, focusing primarily on a wide range of in-person and online reader services for the community. She is an MLIS candidate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Amanda Civitello is Marketing and Communications Manager at Waukegan Public Library, where she is responsible for strategic marketing communications, community engagement, and special events. She's also a contributing editor to Public Libraries, the journal of the Public Library Association.
Please note: This recording is approximately 3 hours in length. A portion of the event was devoted to small group discussions that were not included in the recording. As you watch the recording, you will notice sections with several minutes of no sound. This program was originally offered on April 26, 2018.