Staff Development and Appreciation Day 2024

This module introduces concepts and skills relevant to de-escalation and begins scenario-based training.  

APL staff should be trained to be sufficiently skilled in the following non-physical aspects of conflict management to reduce the risk of them being assaulted and increase public safety. These include:

• situational awareness, including awareness of the impact factors that may affect the likelihood of staff and the public using physical force
• emotional awareness and self-regulation
• active listening
• verbal and non-verbal communication and negotiation skills

The most effective way for staff to develop and maintain these skills is likely to be realistic scenario-based training that draws on evidence from real-world situations (eg, security video footage).

This module introduces concepts and skills relevant to de-escalation and begins scenario-based training.  

APL staff should be trained to be sufficiently skilled in the following non-physical aspects of conflict management to reduce the risk of them being assaulted and increase public safety. These include:

• situational awareness, including awareness of the impact factors that may affect the likelihood of staff and the public using physical force
• emotional awareness and self-regulation
• active listening
• verbal and non-verbal communication and negotiation skills

The most effective way for staff to develop and maintain these skills is likely to be realistic scenario-based training that draws on evidence from real-world situations (eg, security video footage).

 The main objective of the Security 101 Training Program is to help participants acquire the skills to effectively respond to anxious, irrational, angry, hostile, or potentially dangerous behavior and minimize the negative impact of challenging encounters. The course focuses on Library-specific experiences. Included in the training are the 3-Steps of approaching customers:
1. Inform
2. Warn, and
3. Ask (To leave for the day when enforcing a library rule and asking for compliance.)
The training includes Run, Hide and Fight; Open Carry law; Incident Report Writing; and other training that impacts the day to day operations at the Austin Public Library. The training will assist you in understanding the importance of recognizing behaviors which may impact the library, and being confident in addressing these behaviors. Also included are discussions on when not to approach certain behaviors, which may be potentially dangerous.