The focus was on patron safety and service when all Fontana Regional Library personnel received Safety and Security training during the last week of September. Topics covered included building safety in a crisis situation, serving patrons with dementia, and CPR training. Many of the staff at each library are now certified in CPR and first aid so that they can react quickly to emergencies in the library. SOLO Southeast provided hands-on instruction on how to use AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) to treat cardiac arrest. Because the libraries are county buildings, Jackson County provides AEDs in the Jackson and Cashiers Libraries for emergency use. At this time, Swain and Macon County libraries do not have these devices.
