The Power of Boundaries

***BEFORE YOU REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR PLEASE REVIEW IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION BELOW***

Working in a public library means delivering excellent service while managing a wide range of behaviors and expectations. “The Power of Boundaries” is a practical, empowering training designed to help library staff establish and maintain clear, respectful boundaries that support both positive patron experiences and staff well-being. 

This webinar will explore why boundaries matter in public service and how they contribute to a safer, more sustainable work environment. We will examine common scenarios—such as inappropriate questions, overfamiliarity, or emotionally intense interactions—and provide tools and language to help staff respond effectively and professionally. Participants will reflect on their own boundaries, practice strategies for assertive communication, and share ideas with peers in a supportive setting. 

Boundaries are not about being rigid or unkind. They help create clarity, mutual respect, and healthy interactions. When staff have the tools to maintain boundaries with confidence and care, they are better equipped to serve the public while also protecting their own mental and emotional health. This training encourages reflection, peer support, and real-world application of techniques to build resilience and self-awareness. 

Whether you are new to library work or a seasoned professional, this webinar offers approachable, realistic strategies to help you stay grounded and confident in your daily interactions.

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand the role and importance of boundaries in creating respectful, safe, and sustainable interactions with library patrons;
• Develop and practice language and strategies for setting and maintaining professional boundaries during challenging or uncomfortable situations; and
• Increase self-awareness and confidence in navigating emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal dynamics while maintaining excellent public service.

Who Should Attend

This webinar is intended for all public library staff, including front-line employees, supervisors, and administrators. It is especially relevant for staff who engage directly with the public, such as those working in circulation, reference, youth services, and outreach. Library leaders interested in fostering a healthier workplace culture will also benefit from attending.

Panelists

Julia Parsons is the director of Shasta Public Libraries, serving a diverse and rural community in Northern California. With a background in ethnic studies and a deep commitment to equity and inclusion, Julia brings a thoughtful, people-centered approach to public library leadership. She is a first-generation college graduate and a passionate advocate for mental health, neurodiversity, and creating emotionally safe library spaces for both staff and patrons. Julia has led staff development efforts focused on resilience, boundaries, and community engagement, and she believes strongly in the power of libraries to foster belonging and access. With experience in front-line service, management, and system-wide planning, she offers practical insights rooted in real-world experience. Julia is especially interested in supporting emerging leaders and building sustainable, supportive workplace cultures in public libraries.

Important Registration Information

Log into or create your ALA eLearning account

An ALA eLearning account is required to register. Don’t have an account? Create one for free by going to the “Log in” menu located at the top right corner of your screen. No membership is required to create the account. If you encounter any issues registering for this webinar, then please email ce@ala.org for assistance.

Redeem your signup code to complete your registration

Once you’ve registered for this webinar, a signup code will be added to your ALA eLearning account and emailed to you. Find the signup code on your signup code page, then redeem it on your account’s dashboard to complete your enrollment in this live webinar.

• Need to purchase registration on behalf of a colleague?
• Need to register a group of 3 or more?
• Need to register with a purchase order?

Review the ALA eLearning FAQ if you need more information.

Accommodations

This live webinar will be captioned in English (United States). Zoom desktop client or mobile app is required to access captions.

Attendees using screen readers are advised to turn off speech prior to joining the Zoom event because PLA webinars make extensive use of chat functionality. Attendees who find chat distracting may wish to disable it in the Zoom event, as PLA moderators will verbally highlight important topics raised in chat and chat transcripts will be provided post-webinar.

If you have a physical or communication need that may affect your participation in this webinar, please contact us at plawebinars@ala.org or 800-545-2433 ext. 5PLA (5752) at least two weeks prior to the webinar. Without prior notification of need, we may not be able to provide appropriate accommodations for the live event.

Archived Recording

If you're unable to attend this live webinar, an archived recording will be available to all registrants typically within 1–3 business of the live event. Access to closed captions will be provided in the webinar recording.

Tech Requirements

This webinar will be presented using the Zoom platform. Please review Zoom technical requirements and support information, and test your connection.

Once you've joined the webinar, there are two ways to connect your audio: via computer (VoIP) or via telephone. No microphone is required. PLA works with its webinar platform provider to assure the highest quality audio is being delivered to attendees. However, variables over which PLA has no control—such as the speed of your Internet connection or traffic on your local network—can affect the end quality of the webinar audio delivered by your computer. Each webinar’s audio is also available by telephone via a toll number, so we recommend you have access to a long-distance enabled phone as a backup in case you experience audio issues with VoIP. If you do encounter any problems during the webinar, you will receive a link to its archived recording within a week of the live event and can review anything you missed.

Contact

This webinar is presented by the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA).

Questions about this webinar? Please contact us at plawebinars@ala.org or 800-545-2433 ext. 5PLA (5752).