Policy on Naloxone Administration Services at Library Sites

Issued: 12/2023

Updated: 4/2026

Mission:

The Mission of Monterey County Free Libraries (“MCFL”) is to bring ideas, inspiration, information, and enjoyment to our community.

Opioids (including Fentanyl) cause overdoses and deaths in Monterey County. State agencies, such as the California Departments of Health Care Services and Public Health, offer resource assistance to local governments, such as MCFL and the County Health Department Behavioral Health Bureau through the Board of Supervisors. Through these resources, MCFL seeks to obtain and maintain a supply of naloxone, also known as Narcan, to reverse opioid overdoses, and to train staff volunteers on how to identify overdoses and safely administer naloxone.

MCFL may obtain and deploy naloxone at library locations throughout the County. The administration of naloxone by staff in the event of an emergency overdose on library premises is strictly voluntary. Training to administer naloxone will be made available to all library staff. This training is optional and appropriate for staff at all levels.

Naloxone is a life-saving medication that works almost immediately to reverse overdose by blocking the effects of opioids. Naloxone is a drug which is available “over the counter.” Naloxone does not require a prescription. Naloxone is not a controlled substance. Naloxone has few known adverse effects, no potential for abuse, and can be rapidly administered through nasal spray.

At the onset of this program, each site will receive two boxes of naloxone, each of which contains two doses of nasal spray.  Library managers are responsible for determining an appropriate area to store their supply of naloxone.  It may be stored in an unlocked area of the staff workroom, in a cabinet behind a customer service desk, or another conveniently accessed location, for example next to a first aide kit.  A small supply of nitrile gloves should be kept adjacent to the supply of naloxone.

Each naxolone unit contains an expiration date prominently displayed on the packaging.  The Department Safety Representative or other designated staff should request a new supply prior to expiration so that additional units may be obtained.  After expired units of naxolone have been replaced with unexpired doses, the expired units should be disposed of at a safe medication disposal site.

Staff volunteer training is available through the County's internal Learning Management System and strictly optional for all library staff.  Training will include an overview of opioids, understanding naloxone and how it works, how to recognize and distinguish an overdose from impairment, and how to respond to an overdose and administer naloxone.

The administration of naloxone should only be handled by staff who have completed the County- authorized training, and who volunteer to do so. Staff considering the administration of naloxone should be aware of any personal physical limitations or restrictions and only perform intervention activities that are within their physical capabilities.

After any incident, immediately report it as follows:

An overdose incident including the administration of naloxone may be upsetting for any staff who participates in the response or witnesses the event. Managers should offer any involved staff Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or other resources and are encouraged to reach out to Regional Administration and/or Library Human Resources for any additional support needed for their teams.