Delivering drug info at your library
Public libraries are safe spaces, accessible and open to all which makes them the perfect place to access quality, up to date information about alcohol and other drugs.
Programs
One of the most effective ways of promoting your library's Drug Info service is to display it prominently, whether inside the library or during community outreach events. The Drug Info team has developed the Drug & Alcohol Info Pop-Up. The pop-up is colourful, lightweight and portable, and is easy to set up, move and dismantle.
The Know Your Standards program was designed by Drug Info to increase awareness about standard drinks through a range of fun activities and promotional resources.
Mocktails are a great alternative to alcoholic drinks for designated drivers, pregnant women, people wanting to reduce their alcohol intake, young people or anyone who wants to avoid alcohol. Drug Info has created a set of mocktails these book-themed drinks are accompanied with colourful recipe cards perfect for library displays and social media posts.
Know Your Drug Facts is a drug education program and awareness campaign delivered in public libraries in NSW. The aim of the program is to provide community members with information and resources to improve their knowledge and awareness of legal and illegal drugs, their effects and the consequences of their use. The program includes both in-library displays and promotion through social media. Also included are a range of activities which can be presented individually or as part of regular library programming.
Promotion
There are many ways to promote your Drug Info service, and one of the most effective is to start a conversation, whether in person at the library or through the various online channels your library uses to communicate with the community. The Drug Info team has a range of resources available to help you get your library talking about alcohol and other drugs.
Showbags are an easy way to promote awareness about the Drug Info service. Labelled with the colourful Drug Info logo, the bags stand out and can be filled with different promotional items from Drug Info. These packages can be used for in-library and outreach programs, workshops and activities. Showbags are available on request. Libraries are encouraged to add extra items such as brochures, postcards, pamphlets from local service providers and/or your own council.
Displays in your library can be a great way of highlighting the drug and alcohol information available in your library, as well as removing the stigma around starting a conversation about alcohol and other drugs. There are many ways of making an impact via library display, whether creating an eye-catching front-of-library display, or by simply revamping the drug and alcohol information area in your library.
The use of games in education has been demonstrated to increase engagement and motivation in both school-aged and adult learners. Drug Info’s suite of resources and activities provides an opportunity to deliver important health messages around alcohol and other drugs in fun, inclusive ways.
Promoting healthy messages around alcohol and other drugs does not have to stop at your library doors. With more and more libraries taking their services out to their communities, Drug Info’s promotional and educational resources are a great opportunity to build and strengthen relationships with schools, local organisations and the general community.
In addition to promoting your Drug Info service through library displays, standalone events and activities, the resources and promotional material provided by Drug Info can make the perfect accompaniment to general library events. Hosting an author talk? Why not serve mocktails? You could even create your own recipe and name it after a book by the author appearing at your event! A beer goggle demonstration makes for a fun addition to any library activity while also conveying an important message. Even just distributing showbags at the conclusion of a library event can have a big impact. Drug and alcohol information does not have to be a sombre affair - the Drug Info programs have been designed to provide a range of fun options that can complement most library activities.
Partnerships
Community groups, police, schools and youth groups are a few examples of organisations who may be interested in partnering on events, displays and in the distribution of Drug Info promotional material. One of the aims of Drug Info is to help public libraries work in partnership with organisations such as Community Drug Action Teams (CDATs) who operate throughout NSW.
In your community you will find a range of organisations and community groups with an interest in drug and alcohol education. The following are just a few possible partnerships you may wish to develop:
- Police Schools
- Youth workers
- Community service organisations