We invite applications from public library workers and administrators who are interested in participating in an IMLS-funded national forum (Grant #RE-256563-OLS-24), Libraries Advancing Community Learning to Reduce Substance Use (LACL), which will be held both online and on-site at the Kansas City Public Library on May 15 and 16, 2025. Experts in the library and substance abuse recovery fields will engage participants to envision and create support for people experiencing alcohol use disorder (AUD) and/or substance use disorder (SUD) through reading, bibliotherapy, and peer-to-peer learning circles.
Guided breakout discussion sessions will provide opportunities for participants to share knowledge and develop resources to:
- facilitate social connections
- develop working relationships and partnerships with professionals in the recovery field
- Recommend therapeutic uses of literature and provide support for reading groups focusing on AUD and/or SUD
- support library staff suffering from AUD and/or SUD and secondary trauma
- apply effective marketing and outreach tactics that reach people who will benefit from these efforts.
The forum will provide the basis for an openly available, online toolkit that can be used in public libraries. Participants who are selected for the in-person form will be provided with travel funding, two nights’ accommodation at a hotel that is near the event space, and a stipend for meals not included at the conference. In-person participants will both contribute to the toolkit by actively contributing during all sessions and review a draft of the toolkit to provide feedback.
Any library staff member who wishes to learn and contribute to the event will be able to attend the online sessions for free and contribute to the toolkit during small-group sessions, and will be invited to provide feedback on the preliminary (draft) materials.
Apply:
Application for On-Site event, Kansas City (May 15 – 16, 2025). Due October 31, 2024.
Application for Online-Only event (May 15 – 16, 2025). Due May 1, 2025.
Applications for the on-site event are due October 31, 2024. Online applications are due May 1.
The project team will review applications and select 50 participants for the on-site forum. We aim to include adult-services public library workers who represent a diverse cross-section of the U.S. (i.e., urban, rural, diverse socio-cultural demographic characteristics, etc.) and from different sizes of libraries. Priority will be given to applicants who have experience with substance abuse recovery programs, facilitating reading and learning groups, outreach, social services, and/or those who represent underserved communities.
Notifications of acceptance will be issued by November 30, and selected participants must confirm their participation by December 15.
VENUE:
Kansas City Public Library, Plaza Branch (Keynote sessions will take place in the Truman Auditorium, and small group sessions will take place in the Cohen Center)
HOTEL:
Accommodations for special diet or other needs will be gathered upon acceptance.