Reposted from ALA

Thinking Critically About What Matters

Kevin Klipfel and Lyndsay Klipfel continue: "We are even given a predefined standard—reinforced through societal expectations and corporate messaging—of what it means to be a 'successful' person or to live a “successful” life, seemingly without having had any say of our own in the matter. To remain true to ourselves and the values that reflect our authentic expression in the world is therefore no easy task. But it is an important one.

"The cultural inputs that we internalize construct our conception of reality: our beliefs, values, and the entire data set which defines our sense of what matters in life.

"A person’s ability to exercise their own sense of independent judgment on these issues is therefore an essential life skill: for how can we remain true to ourselves if we haven’t learned to think for ourselves? This practical ability to 'think for yourself' is at the heart of critical thinking."

”A timely, conceptually robust exploration of how libraries can respond to—and actively shape—the impact of generative AI ... The authors strike a balance between promoting AI and acknowledging its pitfalls. While addressing user ethics, equity, and AI’s environmental impact, they also highlight its potential to expand learning and work ... Because this work centers on concepts, frameworks, and instructional models rather than specific tools, it is likely to remain useful despite rapid technological change."

— Library Journal

"Packed full of useful information, charts, figures, and tables on this topic, along with practical information for those who want to lead into this future ... This book is an excellent and positive early guide for AI discussions, directions, and explorations within libraries."

— Public Services Quarterly

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Recognizing Suspicious Behavior: Awareness Is Your First Line of Defense
Security incidents rarely occur without warning. In many cases, individuals display observable behaviors before attempting theft, vandalism, unauthorized access, or other disruptive acts. Developing strong situational awareness helps security personnel and staff identify potential concerns early and respond appropriately.
Watch for behaviors such as:

• Repeatedly testing doors, gates, or restricted access points.
• Spending an unusual amount of time observing security cameras, alarms, or officer routines.
• Entering or attempting to enter staff-only or restricted areas.
• Leaving bags, packages, or personal items unattended.
• Photographing or recording security infrastructure rather than exhibits or collections.
• Exhibiting escalating agitation, confrontational behavior, or unusual nervousness.

Remember, behavior—not appearance—is what matters. The goal is to observe objectively, engage professionally when appropriate, and communicate concerns through established reporting procedures.
 
 Professional Tip: Early observation, clear communication, and timely reporting often prevent incidents before they escalate. Every staff member plays an important role in creating a safe, welcoming environment for visitors while protecting valuable collections and cultural heritage.
IFCPP offers nationally recognized education and certification programs designed specifically for professionals responsible for protecting museums, libraries, archives, historic sites, and other cultural institutions.
Whether you're new to the field or an experienced security leader, our programs provide practical knowledge, proven best practices, and valuable professional credentials.
Current IFCPP Certifications & Training:

• Certified Institutional Protection Specialist (CIPS) – Frontline security officers and staff
• Certified Institutional Protection Manager (CIPM) – Security supervisors and managers
• Certified Institutional Protection Executive (CIPE) – Senior security and organizational leaders
• Certified Visitor Relations Specialist (CVRS) – Visitor experience and front-line engagement (coming soon)

 IFCPP Protection Tip of the Month is a recurring educational feature designed to provide practical security and preparedness insights for professionals responsible for protecting museums, libraries, archives, historic sites, and other cultural institutions.

Reposted from DHS/CISA

The Department of Homeland Security announced the formation of the Alliance of National Councils for Homeland Operational Resilience – Critical Infrastructure (ANCHOR-CI), a new advisory-body framework that will strengthen information sharing and broaden partnerships across government and industry to secure the nation’s critical infrastructure. ANCHOR-CI (https://cisa.gov/ANCHOR-CI) incorporates the best practices and lessons learned from the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) and will expand meaningful, impactful engagement to a wider range of public-private critical infrastructure stakeholders to address threats in real time and elevate the importance of expanded communication.

The ANCHOR-CI framework allows for the establishment of four types of councils – critical infrastructure sector councils, cross-sector councils, critical infrastructure industry councils, and regional coordinating councils. These councils will advise and provide strategic and actionable recommendations to ensure a coordinated national effort to strengthen and secure a more resilient critical infrastructure.  ANCHOR-CI will innovate on the previous structure ensuring more critical infrastructure stakeholders participate in our nation’s critical infrastructure resilience, particularly if their area of expertise extends across critical infrastructure instead of adhering strictly to the sixteen critical infrastructure sectors.

DHS and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) will manage the governance of the councils established under ANCHOR-CI, which is designed to facilitate open and candid discussion of sensitive information, strengthening collaboration amongst government and industry.

ANCHOR-CI will initially operate for two years and may be extended by the Secretary pursuant to his Homeland Security Act Section 871 authority.

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Reposted from DHS/CISA

This week, the FAA extended the public comment period for the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled Designation: Restrict the Operation of Unmanned Aircraft in Close Proximity to a Fixed Site Facility from 60 to 90-days. The comment period now closes on August 5, 2026.

On May 6, 2026, the FAA published this NPRMin the Federal Register, opening a public comment period for stakeholders, including the critical infrastructure community, to voice concerns, share sector‑specific feedback, and highlight potential implementation challenges that will help shape the Final Rule.

Section 2209 of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016 (FESSA 2209)directed the FAA to establish a process by which certain critical infrastructure owners and operators may petition the FAA to prohibit or restrict, including temporarily, the operation of an unmanned aircraft in close proximity to a fixed site facility. The NPRM contains the proposed rules to request and maintain these unmanned aircraft flight restrictions.

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Reposted from Tim Richardson

Discipline: The Quiet Force Behind Progress

Milestones can look like isolated moments of achievement, but they are usually the result of something much deeper: discipline. As I reflect on reaching my 200th weekly post and other personal milestones, I’m reminded that real progress is built not on motivation alone, but on consistent action, especially when it’s hardest to keep going. This post explores how discipline shapes growth, leadership, and ultimately the people we become.

Milestones are moments we pause to acknowledge: birthdays, anniversaries, and goals achieved. They remind us that progress is happening, often in ways we do not fully appreciate day to day. As we also approach the milestone of the USA’s 250th birthday, it is a powerful reminder that endurance, discipline, and shared commitment over time shape something much bigger than any single moment.

This week marks an important milestone for me, my 200th pausitivity post. For nearly four years, I have written almost every week, with very few exceptions. There were many days I did not feel inspired or did not think I had anything meaningful to say. But I sat down and wrote anyway. That is where discipline is formed, not in moments of motivation, but in moments of resistance.

Discipline is built through repetition. It is choosing to act even when you do not feel like it. I have seen this firsthand in my writing, and I have experienced it in other areas of my life as well. When I force myself to run on days I would rather not, I am almost always rewarded. The same principle applies to learning, leadership, and professional growth. Consistent effort compounds over time.
This past year brought another milestone. I completed an 11 mile cycling loop at Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains each month for 12 months in a row. The ride itself is not especially difficult, but the conditions often are. Outside of summer, the loop is open to traffic, which meant early mornings rides to avoid traffic, colder temperatures, and inconvenience. It was not always enjoyable, but it was always worth it. That experience reinforced something important. Discipline prepares us for more than the task at hand. It builds capacity. We see this in the lives of highly disciplined individuals across different fields. Jerry Seinfeld became known for his “do not break the chain” approach to writing daily jokes. Serena Williams trained relentlessly, even when already at the top of her sport and now mounting a comeback. Warren Buffett has maintained decades of disciplined decision making, focusing on long term value over short term noise. Each of them demonstrates that success is less about talent alone and more about sustained, consistent effort. The lesson is clear. Discipline creates freedom. It removes hesitation, reduces procrastination, and builds confidence. When we consistently do hard things, we become people who can handle hard things.

In leadership, this matters even more. Discipline allows us to:

Have difficult conversations when they are needed, not when they are convenient.
Tackle important tasks first rather than avoiding them.
Show up consistently for our teams, regardless of how we feel.
Build trust through reliability and follow through. When we develop discipline in one area, writing, exercise, or learning, it carries over into others. It strengthens our ability to focus, to persist, and to lead with intention.

So the question becomes, what disciplines are shaping your life right now? What are you doing not because you feel like it, but because it matters? Milestones are not just markers of achievement. They are evidence of discipline at work and a reminder that the small, consistent choices we make every day are what ultimately define us.

Reposted from AMM

Save The Date-We Hold These Truths
Learn something new while you explore the Chicagoland region on pre-conference day

AMM 2026 programming has been designed to help Midwest Museums build capacity, find their peers, gather inspiration, and emerge stronger. Pre-conference tours and workshops are just the beginning - a great way to connect with your peers in a small group setting while you explore, learn, and have a little fun!

Pre-Conference Workshops

Sunday, July 26

Among this year’s peer-to-peer training opportunities are workshops that will help you create and test your emergency plan, learn how volunteer programs can support workforce development, or get expert guidance on NAGPRA. PLUS these programs take place offsite at area museums.

Bridging the Gap: Using Volunteer Programs as Workforce Development (at Jane Addams Hull-House Museum)

Proactive Preservation Part 2: Co-Create and Operationalize Your Museum’s Emergency Plan (at the Chicago Maritime Museum)

Repatriation Strategies for Midwest Museums: NAGPRA and International Approaches (at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago)

What's in store for We Hold These Truths

Join AMM and hundreds of your peers online for Virtual Day on Wednesday, July 22, for a robust day of programming. Virtual Day will feature an opening session titled “Whose Truths?” with a focus on the Chicago Monuments Project. We will virtually visit two Chicagoland museums, chat about hot topics in roundtable discussions, and take part in any of 4 live concurrent virtual sessions - all from the comfort of our homes or offices! In Chicago on July 26-29, you’ll have access to your choice of 50+ sessions, posters and conversation stations presented by your peers, PLUS plenty of time for fellowship and visits to our exhibit hall featuring 40+ providers. This year’s workshops will provide in-depth skill and knowledge building in key areas of need: volunteer workforce development, repatriation, and emergency planning. Central to the experience, of course, is the chance to explore at least a dozen unique Chicagoland museums through virtual tours and in-person programs. You'll see - there's truly a museum to satisfy every interest in Chicago!

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by Norris D. Yarbrough, CIPE, LEM

In today's security environment, few topics generate more discussion among museum leaders, security professionals, and governing boards than the question of armed security.

For cultural institutions, the issue extends far beyond firearms. Museums are places of education, remembrance, and public engagement. They welcome school children, international visitors, volunteers, researchers, and families. The presence of armed security personnel can appear to conflict with the welcoming atmosphere these institutions strive to create.

Yet museums now operate within the same threat environment as every other public gathering space. Active assailant incidents, targeted violence, civil unrest, and acts of ideological extremism have forced leaders to reconsider long-held assumptions about security.

As someone who has worked in emergency management, healthcare security, higher education preparedness, and museum security leadership, I have found that organizations often begin with the wrong question. The question is not whether an institution should arm its security officers. The better question is whether the institution possesses the governance, culture, training, oversight, and leadership necessary to responsibly manage an armed security program.

A Changing Threat Landscape
Violence can occur anywhere. Federal law enforcement and security professionals have long recognized that active assailant incidents often unfold rapidly, frequently concluding before outside responders can fully intervene. This reality places significant responsibility on organizations to evaluate their preparedness and response capabilities before an incident occurs.

Museums are public gathering spaces. They host special events, political figures, veterans, school groups, and community gatherings. Some institutions welcome thousands of visitors daily. While the likelihood of a major incident may remain low, the consequences can be catastrophic.

The Traditional Museum Model
Historically, museum security focused on four primary functions: visitor safety, collection protection, emergency response, and customer service. Most security interactions involve giving directions, assisting guests, responding to medical incidents, or helping staff members. For many institutions, an unarmed security model supported by local law enforcement remains entirely appropriate.

However, leaders must honestly assess their risk environment rather than relying solely on tradition.

The Firearm Is Not the Program
One of the most important lessons learned during the development of modern armed security programs is that the firearm itself is not the program. Governance is the program.

This governance-centered approach aligns with museum risk-management standards that emphasize identifying risks to people, facilities, and collections and implementing appropriate mitigation measures. Layered security, formal policies, recurring training, and leadership oversight are more important than any individual piece of equipment.

An armed security program should be built upon:
• Clearly written policies.
• Careful personnel selection.
• Extensive training.
• Accountability systems.
• Leadership oversight.
• Wellness and fitness-for-duty programs.

Without these foundations, a firearm may introduce more risk than it mitigates.

Lessons from Program Development
During the development of armed security programs, leaders often discover that marksmanship is one of the easiest challenges to solve. More difficult questions involve
judgment, emotional maturity, communication skills, and organizational culture.

Successful programs move deliberately. They invest heavily in policy development, scenario-based training, de-escalation, and accountability. They understand that carrying a firearm is not a symbol of authority but a responsibility requiring restraint and professionalism.

In my experience, the most successful armed officers view themselves as guardians first. They recognize that every encounter should begin with communication and de-escalation. The firearm exists for the rare circumstance in which innocent life faces an immediate and unavoidable threat.

Museum-Specific Considerations
Museums differ from many commercial facilities because they are entrusted with preserving history itself. This responsibility can create competing priorities during
emergencies.

One principle should guide every security decision: People first. Collections second. Facilities third.

The purpose of an armed security program is not to protect artifacts at the expense of human life. Rather, it exists to provide an additional capability when human life is
threatened.

Collections can be restored.
Buildings can be rebuilt.
Lives cannot be replaced.

Governance Questions for Boards
Before approving an armed security program, governing boards should ask:
• Have we conducted a formal risk assessment?
• Do we possess the resources to sustain training?
• Do we have legal and HR support?
• Have we developed use-of-force policies?
• How will performance be monitored?
• How will officer wellness be supported?
• How does the program align with our mission?

These questions are often more important than equipment selection.
There Is No Universal Answer

A small regional museum may reasonably conclude that an unarmed model best supports its mission. A large urban institution hosting thousands of visitors each day may reach a different conclusion.

Neither answer is automatically correct.

What matters is that the decision results from thoughtful risk assessment, governance, leadership involvement, and mission alignment.

Final Thoughts
The debate over armed security in cultural institutions will continue, and it should. The stakes are too high for simplistic answers.

Whether a museum chooses to arm its officers or remain unarmed, safety is not created by equipment alone. It is created through preparation, training, accountability, leadership, and culture.

The question is not whether a museum can purchase firearms. The question is whether it is prepared to responsibly manage everything that comes with them.

References
American Alliance of Museums. Facilities and Risk Management Standards.
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Active Shooter Preparedness Guidance.

Author Biography
Norris D. Yarbrough, CIPE, LEM, serves as Senior Security Manager – Armed for The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana. His professional background includes emergency management, healthcare security, higher education preparedness, incident command, and cultural property protection. He has led large-scale emergency operations, security modernization initiatives, and the development of armed security programs in both public and private sector environments.

Something special happened in Albuquerque. Over 60 signed up, we rolled up our sleeves, and spent an afternoon asking a question that doesn't get asked nearly enough: what if the people who already run this city's most important gatherings took the lead when things go sideways?

ReadyWhen the Lights Go Out is built on a simple but powerful idea — the venues and event professionals who manage large crowds, communications, power, and logistics every single day are exactly who communities need when a crisis hits. We put 16 anchor venue types on the table: community arts centers, libraries, festival grounds, performing arts venues, makerspaces, civic centers, and more. Each group of six got their own mix, then faced real-world pressure: a heat dome, rolling outages decided by a dice roll, and decisions that couldn't wait.

Then we rewound five years. What if we'd built these relationships before it happened? That conversation hit home. Venue and event professionals left realizing they don't have to wait to be invited to the resilience planning table — they can set it.

The tabletop flowed into a networking and resourcing intensive: finding partners, identifying funding, and turning good energy into lasting plans.We've already been invited to bring ReadyWhen the Lights Go Out to NYC, Baltimore, Claremont, and back to ABQ. Dates coming soon — we'd love IFCPP members to join or co-host. Watch this space!

Reposted from ESS-CFS

Emergency Services Sector and Commercial Facilities Sector Hybrid Event

Please join us as Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Emergency Services Sector (ESS) and Commercial Facilities Sector (CFS) deliver a special edition
hybrid event, featuring presentations to keep you informed, prepared, and ready to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary.
Celebrating and Safeguarding America’s 250th Anniversary
From Public Venues to First Response
Virtual and In-Person Webinar
June 25, 2026, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. EDT

America’s 250th Anniversary virtual and in-person event will feature experts from across CISA and DHS. Celebrations surrounding America’s 250th Anniversary will draw
significant crowds and increase demands on public safety, emergency response, and facility security. This session highlights strategies for safeguarding public venues,
managing large crowds, and ensuring bomb safety, offering practical insights to strengthen preparedness and first‑response efforts.
Key Topics Covered:
Joint Special Event Threat Assessments (JSETA)
Be Air Aware ™ Security Considerations for Larger Public Gatherings
America 250-Bombing Prevention
Enhancing Security Through Informed Vigilance

The in-person portion of the webinar will be held in Arlington, VA and is limited to 70 participants. Critical infrastructure owners and operators, security planners, and
organizations engaged in America’s 250th Anniversary activities are encouraged to participate.
EMAIL US BELOW TO REQUEST IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE
EmergencyServicesSector@cisa.dhs.gov

Reposted from HENTF

A reminder about an upcoming webinar shared from the Smithsonian Institution for your awareness:
 
June 24 - 2:00pm-3:00pm - Managing Mental Health in Cultural Heritage Emergency Response Webinar - Before 6/23 - ARCS members $25, Non-member $50 
 
Description:
Mental health plays a critical role in how museum and cultural heritage professionals function at work, make decisions, and care for collections.  In unstable and challenging times, as well as in normal operations,  mental health care is recognized as a core component of a holistic approach to museum operations and stewardship. Looking at resources and honest case studies, this talk will address how mental health of individuals compromises group dynamics and response efforts in emergency situations. 
 
The participants will learn how acknowledging, recognizing and sharing information about stress and signs of mental health challenges and inclusion of safe practices among museum staff, are tools for recovery. Proactive attention to mental well-being not only benefits individual employees but also strengthens institutional resilience, helping museums respond more effectively to stress, crisis, and long-term professional demands.
 
Speakers - Nora Lockshin (SLA) and Becca Kennedy

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