Creating library board support for programs for community members with substance use disorders, or even creating programming for people who want to understand substance use for themselves or their loved ones, might be difficult in some cities and towns. This is a sensitive issue, because many people have seen the devastation that substances can cause in people’s lives, and because the library board wants to protect the library from disruption. Presenting any proposed programs to a resistant board requires a careful balance of education, framing, and trust-building. Here are some guidance points:
1. Ground your proposal in the library’s mission.
- Frame the issue in library terms: Use words that they are familiar with and already support, including access to information and community well-being.
- Position the work as part of what libraries have always done: helping people navigate difficult life circumstances.
2. Use Data and Stories
- Local data: Show statistics on how substance use affects your community (e.g., overdose rates, number of families impacted, local health department data).
- Library-specific data: Note relevant incidents, patron questions, or trends you’ve seen in your building.
- Human stories: Without identifying individuals, share examples of how patrons benefit from nonjudgmental access to resources. Stories make the data real.
3. Build Empathy and Reduce Stigma
- Language matters: Use “people-first” language (“people with substance use disorders” vs. “addicts”).
- Provide brief training on why stigma can prevent people from seeking help—and how libraries can be a trusted entry point.
- Connect it to universal values (safety, dignity, access).
4. Show Partnerships and Shared Responsibility
Boards worry about liability and overreach. Emphasize:
- You’re not doing it alone—you’ll collaborate with local health agencies, recovery organizations, or peer support groups.
- The library isn’t becoming a treatment center; it’s providing access to information and referral pathways.
5. Offer Clear, Manageable Steps
Break down the ask into phased, concrete actions, such as:
- Hosting a book talk series on recovery.
- Making brochures from health agencies available.
- Training staff in de-escalation or naloxone administration.
6. Anticipate Concerns
- Safety: Show evidence from other libraries that safety improves with supportive approaches.
- Liability: Provide model policies, examples, and legal guidance.
- Community reaction: Frame it as meeting community needs, not endorsing substance use.
7. Leverage External Voices
Bring in a trusted partner (public health officer, recovery advocate, law enforcement representative) to co-present. Having an outside expert reduces the sense that it’s “just the librarian’s opinion.”
8. Keep Communication Ongoing
- Don’t dump everything in one meeting. Provide board packets with readings, FAQs, or case studies in advance.
- Follow up with short updates—showing successes, community gratitude, or press coverage. Keep track of and present expenses, including staff time and partnership development.