Trauma is an all-too-common experience for many children and their caregivers, particularly those in underserved communities. The effects of trauma can be profound and long-lasting, influencing every aspect of a child’s development and a caregiver’s ability to provide support. Libraries, as we know, have a unique role to play in recognizing and addressing trauma. By developing specialized programs and resources, librarians can provide support to those in need. Also, those who support the supporters. The ALSC Library Services to Underserved Children and Their Caregivers Committee is currently constructing a toolkit designed to help librarians and library workers understand and address trauma, allowing families healing and growth. What is trauma? According to Merriam-Webster, Trauma is 1 a: an injury (such as a wound) to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent b: a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury c: an emotional…
Tag: trauma informed library
Do What You Do Best: Advice from a Child Welfare Expert
I’ve spent the last few months trying to educate myself on Childhood Trauma, ACES, and how to become a trauma informed library. The task is daunting! The learning curve is steep, the information is abundant and there are so many children in need of care. I was beginning to despair. Then an old friend of mine from high school (shout out to the Shaler Area Titans!), Dr. Lisa Schelbe posted her new book, The Handbook on Child Welfare Practice, on Facebook. Dr. Schelbe is an associate professor in the College of Social Work at Florida State University. Her areas of expertise are child welfare and child maltreatment prevention, among others. I knew I had a resource that could help me focus; she literally wrote the book on the subject! I reached out to Dr. Schelbe, and we had an amazing conversation about what practical steps we can take as children’s…