A possible obstacle they may face when addressing their nutrition, health, or safety concerns.

Discuss a possible obstacle they may face when addressing their nutrition, health, or safety concerns.

The scenario that hit closest to home in the facility I work in is the “Communicable Disease Prevention” scenario.  

With so many materials handled by multiple patrons, children and adults alike, the need for proper sanitation and disease prevention is often discussed. Since it is impossible to “wash” a book, hand washing has been our library’s best option to prevent the spread of illness. The use of handwashing minimizes the spread of communicable diseases. It can be a great defense against the spread of cold and flu in an environment filled with materials that are not easily sanitized (Anser, Islam, Khan, Zaman, Nassani, Askar, Abro, & Kabbani, 2020). 

Given the scenario, the Administrator’s responsibilities would include:  

Staff training on the importance of hand washing in our given space 

Providing hand sanitizer options in areas that are not near a restroom facility 

Reminding staff before programs to complete proper handwashing techniques 

Reminding staff to stress the importance of hand washing to patrons 

Regularly sanitizing any “high traffic” areas and tools, such as tables, chairs, and shared art instruments 

Another critical factor to remember as an Administrator is to choose sanitation methods that are safe to use when children are present (Anser et al, 2020). Spraying bleach or other harsh chemicals during operation hours can put children at risk. Having hand sanitizer in an unsupervised area or accessible to small children can also be unsafe. Hand soap should be easy to access in small quantities, have antibacterial qualities, and remain in good supply for operating hours. 

Any staff members that do not cooperate with the proper procedures in place for public safety should receive additional training on its importance. Additional action may be needed if the problem goes unresolved.