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• a discussion of why sustainability matters to libraries and their user communities;
• real-life examples of sustainability programming, transformative community partnerships, collective responses for climate resilience, and green building practices;
• lessons learned and recommendations from library workers who have been active in putting sustainability into practice;
• the intersection of sustainability with the work of equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• suggestions regarding the revision of library and information science curriculum in light of the practical need to build community resilience;
• an examination of how libraries’ efforts to support Doughnut Economics can bolster the United Nations' work on the Sustainable Development Goals, which seek to address the global impacts of climate change; and
• potential collaborators for future sustainability-related initiatives.

The opioid epidemic, and other behavioral health issues such as alcohol and drug abuse, directly impact every community across the nation; and, by extension, public libraries’ daily work. Because libraries are not only trusted guardians of information but also vital community centers, people struggling with addictive behaviors as well as their family members and friends often turn to the library for help. But many library workers feel overwhelmed, finding themselves unprepared for serving these patrons in an effective and empathetic way. This book encourages readers to turn their fears and uncertainty into strengths and empowerment, offering to-the-point guidance on welcoming people with substance use disorders and their loved ones through policy, materials, outreach, collaboration, programs, and services. Written by a frontline librarian whose personal experiences inform the book, this resource

• explores the library’s role in the fight against addiction and how to become part of the solution by combating stigma;
• provides background on understanding how substance abuse and related behaviors affect different age groups and populations;
• explains how to be proactive regarding library safety and security by carefully crafting library policies and effectively communicating them to staff;
• offers real world guidance on training library staff, including pointers on recognizing observable signs of drug abuse and responding appropriately and safely to uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situations;   
• discusses safeguards such as a needle disposal unit, defibrillator, and Naloxone;
• gives tips on marketing, outreach, and programming, from putting together displays of materials and resources to partnering with local organizations; and
• recommends useful websites, documentaries, and additional resources for further learning.

Effectively marketing libraries by persuasively communicating their relevance is key to ensuring their future. Speaking directly to those in senior leadership positions, Anderson lays out the structural and organizational changes needed to help libraries answer the relevance question and maximize their marketing and communications efforts. Focusing on big-picture strategies, she shares lessons learned from her 20+ year career in library marketing and communications. No matter what type or size of library you help to lead, by reading this book you will

• gain insight into why libraries need to tell their stories more effectively than they are today;
• be able to craft a strategic roadmap for marketing your library and communicating its value in a variety of ways that resonate with key audiences;
• see why improvements to the structure of your marketing and communications team can lead to better results;
• learn practical methods for incorporating audience research into your planning;
• know how to remove customer barriers and discontinue practices that are thwarting your marketing efforts;
• receive guidance on preparing for potential crises;
• understand how to be more community-focused by forming and sustaining partnerships; and
• feel confident in engaging with stakeholders so that they become your library’s best ambassadors.

Library work is really all about people. And the inclusive, welcoming nature of the library means that all kinds of people pass through its doors. Not all difficult patrons are dangerous, but some frighten staff and other library users, which can lead to situations that are distracting, troubling, and fraught with liability. For more than a decade, Albrecht, a 15-year police veteran, has presented workshops for libraries on dealing with challenging patrons. His no-nonsense advice will empower library staff in their personal security and give them the tools to confidently communicate with their colleagues, patrons, and members of law enforcement regarding inappropriate behavior. In this book he addresses security issues important to all libraries, including

• Specific guidance for common situations, such as unruly teens, unwanted sexual advances, chronically homeless substance abusers, and more
• The elements of an effective Code of Conduct and how to enforce it
• Tips on how to manage internet usage to minimize potential problems
• How to align with patrons and use language that defuses the conflict
• Forming partnerships with service organizations, homeless shelters, mental health advocacy groups, and other community resources
• How to know when it's time to call the police, plus ideas for increasing law enforcement support
• Ways to make the library more secure through changes to facilities