Interactive webinar Q&A session with Ryan Dowd
mars...@library.ohio.gov
Submit a question and register for Ryan Dowd’s next live training.
Q&A with Ryan
When: March 12, 2026, 2 p.m. ET
Topics Covered:
Have a question? Now is the time to ask with our exclusive interactive webinar Q&A session with Ryan. With over 20+ years of experience working and running Hesed House (a homeless shelter in the suburbs of Chicago), he is ready to answer your questions regarding homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse, backup, and much more!
If your staff have questions for Ryan, please submit them by March 10th using this link: https://forms.gle/L1vA4sL7AWojnUf39
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A former director of a Chicago homeless shelter, Ryan Dowd is also the author of The Librarians Guide to Homelessness: An Empathy-Driven Approach to Solving Problems, Preventing Conflict, and Serving Everyone. He travels across the United States, speaking to libraries about how to help homeless patrons using empathy and respect. Additionally, he offers training to police departments, nonprofits, and other organizations on compassionately managing challenging behavior from individuals in distress.
To access The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness core training on Niche Academy, go to the State Library of Ohio’s Training and Professional Development page and click the homelessness training link. Once in Niche Academy, you will be prompted to login or create an account. Certificates will be issued within Niche Academy after the completion of the core training or webinar. The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness core training purchased by the State Library in 2019 and has been renewed through August 2026. The online training, authored by Ryan Dowd, is available for all Ohio public and academic library staff. The four-part training is an empathy-driven approach that provides best practices for library staff on how to understand the homeless population and serve them better. There are also practical tips on how to deal with and de-escalate common situations and issues, and make staff feel empowered and safe. Archived webinars are available as separate modules in Niche Academy.
If you have trouble accessing the training or upcoming webinar, email Erin Kelsey, Library Consultant at the State Library of Ohio at: eke...@library.ohio.gov.
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4316469293825/WN_tKI2FqgvQsKPVd0MCojKlg#/registration
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Marsha McDevitt-Stredney
Director, Marketing & Communications
State Library of Ohio
274 E. 1st Avenue
Columbus, OH 43201
Tel: 614.644.6875