Opioid and heroin abuse has become a public health crisis across the United States and Ohio’s public libraries are not immune from this epidemic. The OLC will host an Opioid Symposium on Tues., April 3 at the Fawcett Center at the Ohio State University in Columbus.

This event is designed to address the myriad of issues surrounding drug use and overdoses and how public libraries can respond and protect the well-being of their customers and staff. Experts who are on the front lines of this fight will be on hand to share practical information, best practices and policy considerations.

Topics include:

• The heroin and opioid abuse problem in Ohio and its impact on communities
• Liability and policy considerations for employers
• Proper procedures and protocols for cleaning-up unknown substances
• Resources and tools available to public libraries
• Community engagement strategies
• Developing a local coalition
• Practical solutions and best practices

The registration fee is $45 for OLC Individual members or staff of Institutional member libraries ($90 for non-members). The deadline is register is March 27, 2018. A complete agenda is available on the OLC website.