University of Maryland, College Park (University of Maryland, School of Information)

The University of Maryland, in partnership with the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies and the Association of Rural and Small Libraries, will enhance a Field Guide of Essential Tasks and develop training materials to prepare public library staff to support historically marginalized youth and families before, during, and after crises. This project will: 1) build a repository of illustrative examples; 2) develop participatory design session plans that detail how to engage and guide library staff in the learning and execution of each of the Essential Tasks, which can be adapted by staff as they work with their communities; 3) build a mentoring community of practice that will center on approaches for providing equitable practices and services during crises; 4) train a group of mentors to prepare public libraries to support communities in crisis in their respective states; and 5) revise the Field Guide and website of resources. The project beneficiaries are library staff nationwide who want to strengthen their ability to provide programs and services in moments of need and the marginalized youth and families who participate in these programs and services.