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UPCOMING EVENTS

Grace Under Fire: Difficult Behaviors, Appropriate Responses
Sara Behrman

May 20, 2005
1:30 pm Registration with light refreshments
2:00 – 4:00 pm workshop
US Bank Room, Central Library
Multnomah County Library
801 SW 10th Avenue
Portland, OR 97205

Description:

For some bizarre reason, the public’s perception of library work hasn’t changed much since the days when a monk silently copied manuscripts by hand, while humming Gregorian chants! Someone will invariable say, “Wow! You lucky dog! You get to work someplace quiet and even get paid to read books!” Outsiders are unaware of the fact that this work-- in libraries of all types and sizes, both rural & urban—often leaves library staff vulnerable to difficult and inappropriate behaviors by “problem patrons.” In this workshop, I will share “war stories” about these encounters of the worst kind with humor, offer practical advice, talk about expectations, and swap coping strategies (preventative, as well as “after the fact.”) Attendees will learn how to keep their self-esteem intact while maintaining their “grace under fire.” A sampling of these stories includes:

  • “West Side Story”
  • “Yellow Puddle Man”
  • “The Nazi”
  • “The Flasher”
  • “Mirror, Mirror”
  • “The Copying Fool”
  • “Man’s Best Friend”
  • “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.”
  • “Rude Dude”
  • “Panic Attack”
  • “Techno-Idiot”
  • “Grump's Gripe”
  • “The Professional Challenger”

    Presenter:

    Sara Behrman has worked in libraries in Wisconsin, Iowa, New York, Washington, and Michigan. She has recently relocated to Portland and is offering her multi million-dollar grant writing expertise to libraries and nonprofit organizations. Her twenty-five year background as a former director of a library cooperative, community librarian, coordinator of young adult services, and as an adult, reference, young adult, and children’s librarian, enables her to tap a wide range of experience and expertise.

    Cost:

    PORTALS Member & Student Rate: $15.00
    Nonmember Rate: $20.00

    Registration:

    To register, please submit the information below and mail payment with check payable to PORTALS:

    Sheila Afnan-Manns, Director
    PORTALS/PSU Millar Library
    PO Box 1151
    Portland, OR 97207-1151


    You will be sent a confirmation and receipt.

     

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    Non-Member Rate ($20.00)
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