Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC) serves as a focal point within Colorado to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks and other disasters. Within the Department of Public Safety, CIAC gathers and analyzes intelligence, disseminates concerns, and shares best practices to prevent, protect, and respond to crimes and potential or actual acts of terrorism.
How can this organization be of service to libraries?
Libraries provide a full range of books and resources for the interest and enlightenment of all people in the community. We seek to share a wide variety of perspectives and experiences to engender empathy and understanding. This is a core value of librarianship and has been codified into law not only in Colorado Library Law’s purpose of libraries but also in the passage of SB24-216 Standards for Decisions Regarding Library Resources.
I’ve heard people joke, “A library has something to offend everyone.” I’d rather hear, “A library has something for everyone,” but, regrettably, there are some that take offense to the diversity of resources and programs. Additionally, our meeting rooms are available for all to use. When a Town Hall is offered by an elected official, is everyone showing up in support or might there be some dissention? Is there reason to believe that productive disagreement may turn to destructive disagreement?
CIAC aims to build safe communities in Colorado by partnering with organizations beyond law enforcement to prevent violence at the community level. 24/7 Watch Center monitoring, threat checks, physical security assessments, cybersecurity training, and targeted violence prevention trainings are available.
Libraries can request a monitoring of an event, and the 24/7 Watch Center will provide social media monitoring for general event safety and security to help library leadership plan and prepare for staff and the public’s safety. This service has been used for a variety of events including cultural and farmers’ markets as well as events involving vulnerable populations.
Physical security assessments and training are also available for libraries. Tabletop exercises, vulnerability assessments, and security assessments are offered through CIAC’s Cyber Program and Infrastructure Protection Team.
To learn more about the services and potential grant programs available through CIAC go to https://ciac.colorado.gov/ or watch the CSL in Session webinar. To request a service of CIAC including a request for an event to be monitored by the 24/7 Watch Center email [email protected].
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