The Massachusetts Library System is pleased to announce that we have contracted with PCI Webinars to provide our members with access to their live webinars.  These webinars are free to MLS members who register through our calendar. Please do not register directly with PCI. Members who register directly with PCI are responsible for paying their registration fee. 

Please help us keep MLS sponsored training free for all members. If you are unable to attend the live webinar, please cancel your registration. A cancellation link can be found in your confirmation email, or you may contact Sarah Donnelly at sdonnelly@masslibsystem.org to cancel. 

Because we are working with an outside vendor, it is important that you cancel your registration in the event that you are unable to attend the live webinar.  A recording of the webinar will be available on the PCI Webinars Niche Academy website about a week after the live webinar.  If you have any issues registering or signing into the PCI Webinars Niche Academy website, please let us know.  Please do not contact PCI Webinars or Niche Academy directly about their live webinars or webinar recordings.

Description

While library staff are not trained social workers, they are often placed in situations that require empathy, de-escalation, and informed referrals due to the growing complex behavioral, and social-emotional needs within their branch communities.

This webinar is designed to provide practical, realistic tools that library professionals can use within their role and scope, without expecting them to replace trained clinicians or social service providers. 

Learning Outcomes

• Communicate with patrons using empathy while maintaining professional boundaries
• Recognize and manage personal bias, stress reactions, and emotional triggers
• Build and leverage relationships to connect patrons with appropriate community resources

Who will benefit from this program:

This training is ideal for library staff, customer service representatives, frontline professionals, supervisors, and administrators who regularly interact with the public and encounter patrons experiencing mental/emotional distress, crisis, or other complex life challenges.

Presenter

Bryanta L. Spencer, LISW-S, is the Founder and CEO of Fortitude Wellness & Consultations and the Social Work Manager of the Cuyahoga County Public Library system. Holding certifications in trauma, integrative medicine, and mental health first aid she specializes in therapeutic services, clinical supervision, professional development and consulting for organizations, schools, and community-based systems. Bryanta is known for her out-of-the-box thinking, charismatic engagement style, and practical equity centered trauma-informed trainings that bridges real-world challenges with clarity and impact. Her work focuses on strengthening frontline professionals and helping institutions better service the underserved and unseen with dignity, skill, and compassion.

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