Prepared libraries, empowered teams : a workbook for navigating intellectual freedom challenges together / Becky Calzada, Val Edwards, and Maegan Coffin Heindel ; foreword by Steven D. Yates.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Calzada, Becky, author.

Edwards, Val, author.

Heindel, Maegan Coffin, author.

Contributor:

Yates, Steven D., writer of foreword.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Intellectual freedom.

Organizational change.

Libraries--Censorship--Handbooks, manuals, etc.

Libraries.

Physical Description:

xvii, 85 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm

Other Title:

Workbook for navigating intellectual freedom challenges together

Place of Publication:

Chicago : ALA Editions, 2024.

Summary:

"Whether a book challenge is upon you, on the horizon, in your rearview mirror, or not yet in sight, now is the time to start envisioning what a challenge-ready team looks like in your organization. This unique workbook will equip you and your colleagues with the tools and resources to tailor a challenge preparedness action plan to the needs of your library and community. Preliminary data for 2023 from ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) shows an all-time high number of book challenges, shattering the previous record set only the year before. Anticipating and preparing for challenges can only be done effectively when the library has a unified team. This workbook will help library directors and managers at all types of libraries ensure that all members of their staff understand the essential role they have to play when challenges arise. Simultaneously, it will guide you towards managing the stress of the circumstances with lessened impact on team well-being and organizational reputation. Solo librarians will also find resources for coalition-building in the absence of library colleagues within their institution. Assisting you as a library worker in creating your own challenge readiness roadmap, this workbook. This workbook surveys the national intellectual freedom landscape, then guides you through a review of your current circumstances, structures, and team member strengths; provides considerations for developing strong policies and procedures on which your action plan rests; shares recommendations for gathering team input and building team capacity at every step of the way; includes planning templates, strategies, checklists, and suggested scripts to assist in co-constructing a unified approach with your team; identifies methods for developing deep knowledge of your organization's selection policy in your team members; uses a conflict mediation perspective to show how to de-escalate tense conversations involving patrons, members of the community, and team members; outlines best practices for communication and capacity-building in the face of all manner of challenges, helping you stay clear and intentional in your interactions with stakeholders; and includes numerous real-world examples of different book challenges, showing how this approach to team preparedness can be applied."--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Introduction: Navigating preparedness planning

Words to live by: initializing the challenge readiness plan. Surveying the current landscape

Identifying existing structures and resources for success

Evaluating and strengthening your policy foundation

Words into action: operationalizing the challenge response action plan. Readying your team for cohesive action

Designing and launching the action plan

Establishing and training for a response mindset

Words take flight: systematizing the challenge readiness plan. Systems for ongoing readiness and capacity building

Planning for clear communication with all stakeholders

Applying your plan to various scenarios

Conclusion: Prepared and empowered to defend.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9798892555371

OCLC:

1439104315