Episode 9: Leah Topek-Walker, LCSW
Social work student interns at public libraries and research on the experiences of library-based professional social workers
Leah is a licensed clinical social worker and Clinical Assistant Professor at the Stony Brook School of Social Welfare. Along with a colleague, she provides group supervision to 20 students conducting their practicum placements at 28 public libraries throughout Long Island. Leah shares her insights about what makes Stony Brook’s library social work program successful as well as her current research on the (good and bad) experiences of current and former library social workers.
Topics
0:00 Intro
2:16 Leah’s path to library social work
5:26 Social work supervision for students
12:08 How Stony Brook’s library social work program started
16:30 Preparing the library and social work students
Library Task Supervisors: Active participation
Role clarification and managing expectations
Privacy, confidentiality
Open communication
Work space & safety
22:56 BSW and MSW students
23:37 Collaborating with disciplines beyond social work
Benefits of interdisciplinary teams
29:00 Feedback from social work students
33:00 Myths about library social work
36:11 Qualitative research on library-based social workers
With Dr. Margaret Ann Paauw (upcoming guest)
42:38 Leah’s research on library security training: Trauma-informed de-escalation interventions
47:48 Her interests beyond work
50:08 Outro
Links
As of the 2024-25 academic year, social work students from Stony Brook University are placed at 28 libraries in both the Nassau Library System and the Suffolk Cooperative Library System on Long Island (NY).
Giesler, M., Johnson, S.C., & Paauw, M. A. (2023). The Perceptions of Supervisors of Library Social Work Interns: Challenges and Recommendations. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2023.2255941
Johnson, S. C. (2021). Innovative social work field placements in public libraries. Social Work Education: The International Journal, 41(5), 1006–1017. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2021.1908987
Johnson, S.C., Giesler, M., & Paauw, M.A. (2023). “Spending a Year in the Library Will Prepare You for Anything": Experiences of Social Work Interns at Public Library Field Placements. Advances in Social Work, 23(1), 166–184. https://doi.org/10.18060/26176
NASW-NYC Currents Newsletter. (2004, Spring/Summer). From micro to macro to liberation: Library social work and transforming policy. 33–35. https://www.naswnyc.org/page/currentsarchives
Pandolfelli, G. , Topek-Walker, L., et al. (2022, November). The library social work program: Addressing the social determinants of health in public libraries. American Public Health Association (APHA), Boston MA. https://apha.confex.com/apha/2022/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/517856
Pandolfelli, G., Hammock, A., Topek-Walker, L., et al. (2021). An interprofessional team-based experiential learning experience in public libraries. Pedagogy in Health Promotion, 00(0), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1177/23733799211048517
Social work services at Patchogue Medford Library
Wahler, E.A., Johnson, S.C., & Ressler, J.D. (2023). Library supervisors handbook. New Jersey State Library.
Wahler, E.A., Johnson, S.C., & Ressler, J.D. (2023). Student handbook: Social Work-Informed Library Services in Project. The New Jersey State Library.
For a list of additional resources, check out the Bibliography page