Background
Library professionals and social workers make a meaningful difference in the world every single day. Unlike most degrees, accredited social work programs require on-site experience through a social work internship or practicum, known as a field placement. In the library field, working with social work interns conducting their field placements in public libraries has gained enormous attention and popularity in recent years.
Offered in partnership with Rutgers University School of Social Work, 12 student interns (MSW or BASW) were selected and placed at 11 participating libraries across the state. Under the supervision of experienced library supervisors, social work interns helped with information and referrals, community events and outreach, programming and other special projects tailored to serve marginalized and underprivileged patrons. Student interns worked 2-3 days/week for a total of 15-22.5 hours/week for two semesters. The project took place between July 2022 – June 2024.
Library supervisors and interns received training and support throughout the project. NJSL provided stipends for student interns, and professional development training developed by a team of subject matter experts.
There was no cost for libraries to participate in the program. The number of library sites hosting student interns was determined based on the library location and availability of student interns. A library task supervisor (who oversaw the work of the student intern) was designated. Participating libraries signed a Standard Affiliation Agreement with the Rutgers University School of Social Work.
Purpose
Leveraging the intersection of social work and libraries, the New Jersey State Library (NJSL) developed a pilot program ‘Social Work Informed Library Services in NJ (SWILIBS-NJ) with goals in mind:
1) to strengthen public libraries’ capacity in providing essential social services for their communities;
2) to promote connection and collaboration between social work and public libraries in New Jersey.
3) to understand relationship building with schools of social work.
Resources
Handouts
Handbooks outline key roles, responsibilities and requirements of social work interns in libraries and of library task supervisors.
- NJSL SWILIBS Library Task Supervisor Handbook 2023 (PDF)
- NJSL SWILIBS Student Intern Handbook 2023 (PDF)
Evaluations
Program evaluation was conducted by Rutgers University-Camden’s Walter Rand Institute:
- WRI Report Assessment Pilot for SWILIBS-NJ August, 2024 (PDF)
- WRI Report Exploratory Research Southern New Jersey for SWILIBS-NJ August, 2024 (PDF)
Coverage in Publications
In the June/July 2023 issue of Social Work Advocates, the NJ State Library’s social work internship program, through the Social Work Informed Library Services in NJ project, was featured as an exemplary initiative that promotes both social work and library fields building for the future.
Pull Quotes
One of the recommendations in the study is to create social work partnerships to help residents find housing, health care and jobs. Some libraries, such as the one in Richland, S.C., have social workers on staff, said Julia Prince with the Ivy Group. The Fayetteville library wouldn’t necessarily need to have social workers on staff, but it could arrange certain dates and times for social workers from a partnering organization to be available to patrons, she said.
In general I really love the approach of St. Louis County Library – one of the big library systems really doing some things right. Director says:
“The profession holds itself back because we’re too humble,” Sorth said a former library school professor once told her. That has stuck with her. “We decided we don’t want to be under the radar anymore,” she said, adopting the approach to never shut up about the awesome programs at the library.
It has helped drive the narrative at SLCL. Patrons now come up and say, “Oh, my gosh, the things that you did during the pandemic to support this community.” Sorth and her team developed “authentic relationships with the media … which is very, very helpful to getting your story out into the community.”
Said Sorth: “Don’t be afraid to brag. Brag all over the place, all the time.”
“As libraries, we try to be everything to everybody,” Sorth said, “but sometimes we just can’t,” which is why it’s even more important to partner with organizations that can. When groups approach SLCL to partner, she said, “We show up and we say yes.” These relationships have been even more critical during the pandemic, when the needs have been greater and have necessitated broader, deeper outreach during a time of isolation.
– From American Libraries Magazine
HIGHWOOD, IL — The Highwood Public Library received a $628,000 grant last month from NorthShore University HealthSystem to further develop its health equity program.
The library’s health equity program provides services to historically underserved communities in Highwood and other Lake County communities, offering licensed professional counselors, case managers and community engagement specialists, according to library staff.
The latest contribution is the library’s second from the community investment fund NorthShore established last year in conjunction with its merger with Edward-Elmhurst Health, bringing the total to $1,206,000.
Carmen Patlan, the library’s executive director, said the funding has had a “transformational” effect on the services it can provide.
– Patch, Highland Park Illinois
Those who attended the forum at Lucien E. Blackwell West Philadelphia Regional Library noted the safety issues caused by the activity, but most considered “bike life” part of the city’s culture. Dozens gathered at Wednesday’s forum hosted by WHYY News’ Bridging Blocks and the Free Library of Philadelphia to give their thoughts on Philly’s culture surrounding dirt bikes and ATVs.
Keene Public Library is a community and information center fostering connections between organizations and those needing information for themselves or their loved ones. Keene Public Library Director, Marti Fiske, was inspired by larger libraries that added social workers to their staff. Fiske said, “We recognized the need to connect service organizations with people who needed their services. We cannot fund a social worker but invite organizations to the library. Keene Public Library staff will also be able to seek help from the partner organizations for material recommendations for our collections, to help us serve patrons who arrive outside of the program’s office hours, and to make connections with other community organizations.
– Keene, New Hampshire