“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.”