LOVES PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — A new Illinois law will require public libraries to carry Narcan and train their staff on how to use it.
Jon Mark Bolthouse, Director of North Suburban Library District, said when he first learned about the bill when it was signed into law in August. His staff has been trained and prepared. “The librarians that were trained went through a formalized training process, learning how to administer the Narcan and how to observe somebody who might be suffering from an overdose,” said Bolthouse.
Libraries have always been a safe space and with this law it can make libraries an even safer space. “Libraries have always been a space that is open to everyone, and I think that by having staff ready to assist in a medical emergency before the professionals can arrive makes it a much more inclusive space for everyone,” said Bolthouse…