The counterpoint presentation argues that the Point Blank Public Library should provide training and resources to staff and patrons about the Affordable Care Act. Five staff members expressed concern about supporting the ACA by evoking freedom of speech. The presentation provides an overview of the ACA, past court cases, current training partnerships and resources offered, and how providing this information aligns with the library's mission of bringing people and information together and meeting community needs. It addresses concerns about legality, remaining neutral, and the low cost of the training. The goal is to show that ACA materials and trainings are beneficial and supported by the library's mission.

1. COUNTERPOINT PRESENTATION
PUBLIC LIBRARY - GROUP A
Sally Conkright
Cate Loveday
Kim Nevins
Alexander Smith

2. EVENTS
 In a weekly staf f message on March 15, 2013 the Point Blank
Public Library communicated intention to “dedicate library
space and materials, and train library staf f, to support the
citizens and business leaders of Point Blank in their transition
to and implementation of the Af fordable Care Act this fall”
 Five staf f members expressed concern through a letter and
making themselves exempt from any and all work activity
related to the systematic support of the Af fordable Care Act
by evoking their Freedom of Speech.
 We are here to show that these materials and trainings are
beneficial to our library users and staf f and are supported by
the Point Blank Public Library Mission.

3. WHAT IS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT?
Facts
March 23, 2010
October 1, 2013- March 31, 2014
Private Insurance
26 Years Old
50 Employees

4. WHAT IS THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT?
(CONT)
Facts
Pre-existing conditions
Woman
Cancellations and Limits
80/20 Rule

5. PAST COURT CASES
National Federation of Independent Business
V. Sebelius
Florida V. United States Department of Health
and Human Services

6. CURRENT COURT CASES
Employer Mandate and The Affordable Care
Act

7. WHAT DOES ACA MEAN FOR LIBRARY
USERS?
The Affordable Care Act is taking effect, causing angst
and confusion for some Americans.
CASHING IN ON ACA CONFUSION
Companies Use Obamacare Confusion
To Sell 'Junk Insurance'

8. TRAINING
Partnership with IMLS and OCLC/Webjunction
 What is IMLS?
 The Institute of Museum and Library Services
 The mission of IMLS is to inspire libraries and museums to advance
innovation, lifelong learning, and cultural and civic engagement. We
provide leadership through research, policy development, and grant
making
 What is the OCLC/Webjunction?
 Since their launch in 2003, WebJunction has helped thousands of
library staff build the job skills needed to power relevant and vibrant
libraries.
 WebJunction is a not-for-profit program supported by OCLC (Online
Computer Library Center)

9. WHAT TRAINING AND RESOURCES ARE
OFFERED?
Free Webinars
 All materials and resources are available online
FAQs
Stories and examples of other libraries
Link to healthcare.gov
 Specific links for training and information
Link to widgets that can be added to websites
 Library specific

10. WHAT DOES ALA SAY ABOUT THIS THESE
RESOURCES?
“Providing resources that help librarians answer patron
requests for health insurance information furthers the long standing commitment of both IMLS and ALA to make
information more widely available to the public. We are
delighted to help connect libraries to these resources so they
can provide timely information to their customers.
“While libraries provide information in a way that best suits
their own communities, IMLS and ALA stand ready to help all
libraries prepare for the anticipated increased demand for
health-related information.” – press release July 2013
ALA President, Barbara Stripling
and IMLS Director, Susan Hildreth

11. OTHER RESOURCES
RUSA (Reference and User Services
Association) Guidelines for
Medical, Legal, and Business Responses
E-Government Toolkit from ALA

12. A TRAINING PLAN
Overview of Affordable Care Act
 Timeline, key points, and explanation will be made
available to staff
Frontline staff will receive a more intensive
Marketplace training at staff meeting
 Identify a staff member that can champion library related resources and supports for health information
at your library, and keep staff informed of new
information as it becomes available.

13. TAKE ACTION!

14. MATERIALS AND SPACE
Books and other library materials
Pamphlets
CMS.gov
Website

15. WHY SHOULD LIBRARIANS BE TRAINED?
Librarians:
Remain neutral on political elements of any
issue
Point users to relevant and reliable
information
Help customers to use necessary technology
Making appropriate referrals for in-person
assistance
Connect local health or help agencies for
programing or partnerships

16. POINT BLANK PUBLIC LIBRARY
MISSION STATEMENT
 The Point Blank Public Library brings
people, information, and ideas together ensuring
that every member of the community has access to a
vast array of ideas and information. We provide
quality services, resources, and lifelong learning
opportunities to meet the
informational, educational, cultural and recreational
needs and interest of our diverse and changing
community
 The Point Blank Public Library is a forum for all
points of view and adheres to the principles of
intellectual freedom as expressed in the Library Bill
of Rights formulated by the American Library

17. VALUES
Growth
 We recognize the constant change of the information
marketplace and continuously (re)asses our
programs and services accordingly
Individuality
 We respect the individually and integrity of each user
and employee, and foster an environment where
creativity, productivity and responsibility thrive

18. VALUES
Knowledge
We believe in knowledge as indispensable to
the development of human potential, the
advancement of civilization, and continuance
of enlightened self-government
Quality
We value rapid and comprehensive access to
information

19. VALUE
Service
We believe first and foremost in meeting the
needs of out diverse costumer base
Technology
We value cutting edge technology as a critical
means of information and retrieval delivery

20. CLOSING ARGUMENTS
1. Legality of Affordable Care Act
2. Neutrality in the library
3. Cost of training and resources

21. Questions or Comments?
Thank you.