Social Work Models in Public Libraries: A Multicase Study

Background and Purpose: This paper explores the emergence of social work librarianship, a practice initiated in 2009 with the San Francisco Public Library's first social worker, aimed at aiding library users facing psychosocial challenges. While research has examined its implementation in addressing issues like poverty, homelessness, and mental health, gaps remain in identifying specific social work models derived from these practices. By analyzing the San Francisco, Brooklyn, and District of Columbia Public Library systems, this study aims to uncover effective social work practice models and best practices for engaging library users. The findings will offer new strategies for applying these models in other public libraries, enhancing support for communities dealing with complex psychosocial issues.

Methods: This study was initiated by administering a national survey to librarians, library administrators and library staff to collect data about their experiences and engagement with social work practices, services and resources in public libraries. The survey was created using Qualtrics software and there were 225 respondents. Overall, the participants indicated that they felt ill-equipped and unprepared to integrate social work practices in the library. The survey indicated that 69% of the participants did not feel equipped to handle a patron crisis, 52% did not have access to social work training to assist patrons with social service needs, and 84% reported that they performed social work tasks on the job.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with social workers, peer navigators, and supervisors at large public libraries across the U.S. Participants were chosen for their roles in providing social services within these libraries. Invitations to participate were sent via email by the principal investigator and co-researcher. Interviews took place in person or via Zoom and were transcribed verbatim. Thematic coding was performed using Microsoft Word. Grounded theory was applied to uncover new theoretical insights, with inductive reasoning guiding the data interpretation.

Results: The findings underscore the importance of recognizing and documenting the various social work models that emerge in these settings. As libraries continue to navigate the complexities of social challenges such as poverty, homelessness, and mental health, the integration of social work competencies will be crucial for developing comprehensive support systems.

Conclusions and Implications: The collaboration between librarians and social workers fosters an interdisciplinary approach that can lead to innovative solutions for community challenges. This can inspire other public institutions to adopt similar models, creating a network of support systems across various sectors. This research not only fills an important gap in the existing literature but also lays the groundwork for future studies and the expansion of social work librarianship as a vital component of public library services. By fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, libraries can enhance their impact on community well-being and social justice, paving the way for a more inclusive and supportive public service model.