
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
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)
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)
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.