Posted on behalf of Dr. Jennifer Dean, Director of the Thompson Library.
I caught a recent radio interview with an elections worker while I was out and about one day. The interviewer was surprised and dismayed to hear about the security measures in place in the election workers’ offices. Until the interviewer mentioned this, I realized that I hadn’t thought anything about the security measures…this has become part of my new normal. Whether we like it or not - all of us must be prepared for the unexpected to occur. Libraries are no exception. Though we know that our campus and community are safe places, whenever we are working with people, it is best to be prepared. This helps us to look out for ourselves, for others, and to ensure we can be good partners to those workers who are on the front lines in responding to safety-related events.
We’ve been working closely with DPS and Facilities & Operations over the past several months to audit and update the security measures in place in our library. Physical upgrades include call buttons, additional and updated cameras, and card access at the library’s third floor entrance. These measures, along with the excellent trust and rapport between Thompson Library and Archives and DPS, will help personnel in both units to be aware of building activity and use. Recognizing that libraries are a third-space, we made these changes after significant discussion. Libraries are places where everyone is welcome, and where library workers are thoughtful about the privacy of those who use the library. The Library Bill of Rights, a document created by the American Library Association with input from library workers from all types of libraries, is a foundational document that speaks to the ethics of the library and information field. These ethics do not go out the window when discussions of safety and security arise. Rather, they complement and guide these discussions.
As we were working to make our space as safe as it can be, we decided to invest in ourselves, as well. Thompson Library employees held a robust discussion of emergency events with DPS’ Alex Pietrantoni, Emergency Manager and Critical Infrastructure Security Coordinator, at our first in-service of the year. Staff discussed active shooter, fire, and severe weather scenarios. In the afternoon, Security Officer Jim Vogt trained library workers in Stop the Bleed, CPR, using an AED, and using naloxone nasal spray. Those library workers who took part in the afternoon training will receive their certification in these procedures. I am grateful to our team for taking safety to heart, for themselves; for the students, faculty, staff, and community members who use our library; and for their families. We will continue to work on our safety and security policies and procedures, and we are grateful for our partnership with DPS and Facilities & Operations.
University of Michigan-Flint
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