Bibliography
Notable research and resources on social work/public library partnerships. Please notify me of quality resources that should be included here.
Social Work/Public Library Collaborations
Addison, S. M., Gilster, M. E., Ronnenberg, M., Logsden, K., & Witry, S. (2024). Examining library staff openness to social work collaboration: The role of empowerment and resilience. Journal of Library Administration, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2024.2388498
American Library Association (Ed.). (2021). Guidance for social work positions at the library. Public Library Association Social Work Task Force. https://bit.ly/3yKjTQ3
Baum, B., Gross, M., Latham, D., Crabtree, L., & Randolph, K. (2022). Bridging the Service Gap: Branch Managers Talk about Social Workers in Public Libraries. Public Library Quarterly, 42(4), 398–423. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01616846.2022.2113696
Charles Sturt University. (2022). Social Work in Libraries Symposium 2022 Presentation Recordings. https://thinkspace.csu.edu.au/librarysocialwork/social-work-in-libraries-2/social-work-in-libraries-symposium/social-work-in-libraries-symposium-2022-presentation-recordings/
Crabtree, L., Latham, D., Gross, M., Baum, B., & Randolph, K. (2023). Social Workers in the Stacks: Public librarians’ Perceptions and Experiences. Public Library Quarterly, 43(1), 109–134. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01616846.2023.2188873
Finch, B., & Real, B. (2023). Social Workers in Public Libraries: Resource and Referral Practice and Re-Thinking Patron Engagement. Public Library Quarterly, 42(4), 325–347. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01616846.2023.2199671
Garner, J. (2024). Public library partnerships: Using collaborative governance to support vulnerable users. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2024.2397940
Garner, J., Mitchell, L., Bell, K., Lockwood, A., & Wardle, S. (2020). Social work in Australian public libraries: An interdisciplinary approach to social justice. Public Library Quarterly, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2020.1825917
Garner, J., Shephard, M., Garrison, K., Bell, K., & Wardle, S. (2023). Social work in libraries special issue. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 72(4), 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2023.2272337
Johnson, S.C., & Wahler, E. A. (2023). Anticipating and Overcoming Common Challenges for Library and Social Work Collaborations. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2023.2261598
Paauw, M. A. (2023). Barriers and Facilitators to Library Social Work Practice in the United States: A Mixed-Methods Study (J. Singer (Ed.)). Loyola University Chicago. Link
Provence, M. A., Wahler, E. A., Helling, J., & Williams, M. A. (2020). Self-reported psychosocial needs of public library patrons: Comparisons based on housing status. Public Library Quarterly, 40(3), 244–257. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2020.1730738
Public Library Association’s Social Worker Task Force. (2021). Guidance for social work positions at the library. https://bit.ly/3yKjTQ3
Shephard, M., Garner, J., Bell, K., & Wardle, S. (2023). Social work in public libraries: An international scoping review. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 72(4), 340–361. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2023.2255940
Social Work In the Library: Beth Wahler Consulting
Wahler, E. A., Provence, M. A., Johnson, S. C., Helling, J., & Williams, M. (2021). Library patrons’ psychosocial needs: Perceptions of need and reasons for accessing social work services. Social Work, 66(4), 297–305. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swab032
Wahler, E. A., Provence, M., Helling, J., & Williams, M. A. (2019). The changing role of libraries: How social workers can help. Families in Society., 101(1), 34–43. https://doi.org/10.1177/1044389419850707
Wahler, E. A., Rortvedt, C., & Saecker, T. (2022). Public Library Patrons’ Views of Their Psychosocial Needs and How the Library Can Help. The Library Quarterly, 92(2), 172–187. https://doi.org/10.1086/718601
Wahler, E. A., Spuller, R., Ressler, J., Bolan, K., & Burnard, N. (2021). Changing Public Library Staff and Patron Needs Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Library Administration, 62(1), 47–66. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2021.2006985
Wardle, S., Shephard, M., & Bell, K. (2025). Public libraries in social work practice: Partnerships for social justice [Book chapter]. In Elgar Encyclopedia of Social Work. Edward Elgar Publishing. https://researchoutput.csu.edu.au/en/publications/public-libraries-in-social-work-practice-partnerships-for-social-
Whole Person Librarianship. https://wholepersonlibrarianship.com/
Social work interns at public libraries
Aykanian, A., Morton, P., Trawver, K., Victorson, L., Preskitt, S., & Street, K. (2020). Library-based field placements: Meeting the diverse needs of patrons, including those experiencing homelessness. Journal of Social Work Education, 57(1), 72–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2020.1723757
Cuseglio, R. (2020). MSW interns in the public library: A case study in community partnership,. Social Work Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2020.1791066
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. (2020, April 29). Social work students and public library partnerships. OCLC. https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/social-work-students-library-partnerships.html
Johnson, S.C. (2019). MSW interns and public libraries: Enhancing services through interdisciplinary collaboration. Public Services Quarterly, 15(1), 13–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228959.2018.1541332. Retrieved from https://academicworks.cuny.edu/hc_pubs/492/
Johnson, S.C. (2019). Partnering for social justice: Social work students’ placement at public libraries. In S. Epstein & V. Gubnitskaia (Eds.), Social Justice and Activism in Libraries: Essays on Diversity and Change (pp. 45–52). McFarland Publishing. https://academicworks.cuny.edu/hc_pubs/492/
Johnson, S.C. (2019, October 26). Innovative collaborations: Social work student interns at public libraries. Hot Topic presentation. Council on Social Work Education Annual Meeting. Denver, CO. https://academicworks.cuny.edu/hc_pubs/594
Johnson, S.C. (2018, June). MSW interns at public libraries: Fostering collaboration for change. Poster presented at the National Association of Social Workers 2018 Annual conference, Washington, DC. Retrieved from https://academicworks.cuny.edu/hc_pubs/452/
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
Johnson, S.C., & Paauw, M.A. (2022). Partners in libraries: Social work students and the justice-involved. Public Libraries, 61(3), 28–36.
Lee, P. A. (2013, May 5). A Brief History of the Social Workers in the Library Program. Whole Person Librarianship. https://wholepersonlibrarianship.com/2013/05/05/a-brief-history-of-the-social-workers-in-the-library-program/
Luo, L., Estreicher, D., Lee, P. A., Thomas, C., & Thomas, G. (2012). Social workers in the library: An innovative approach to address library patrons’ social service needs. Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries, 1, 73–82. http://www.qqml.net/index.php/qqml/article/view/45
Kelley, A., Riggleman, K., Clara, I., & Navarro, A. E. (2017). Determining the need for social work practice in a public library. Journal of Community Practice, 25(1), 112–125. https://doi-org./10.1080/10705422.2016.1269380
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
Sharkey, C. N., Elkins, J., & Johnson, Z. (2021). Creating trauma-informed library spaces: Lessons learned from a pilot program. Journal of Social Work Education, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2021.1978913
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.
Wahler, E. A., Ressler, J. D., Johnson, S. C., Rortvedt, C., Saecker, T., Helling, J., Williams, M. A., & Hoover, D. (2022). Public library-based social work field placements: Guidance for public libraries planning to become a social work practicum site. Public Library Quarterly, 42(2), 141–154. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2022.2044264
Peer Navigators
There are peer navigators/peer support specialists at the following libraries: Denver; Spokane; Washington D.C.; Kalamazoo, Michigan; and I believe Brooklyn, NY.
Carey, L. (2022, March 24). Texas Rural Libraries Will Help with Mental Health Access. Daily Yonder. https://dailyyonder.com/texas-rural-libraries-will-help-with-mental-health-access/2022/03/24/
St. David’s Foundation. (22, February 18). Reimagining Mental Health Care Delivery Through Public Libraries. https://stdavidsfoundation.org/news-and-stories/reimagining-mental-health-care-delivery-through-public-libraries/
Networks
The Public Library Association Social Worker Interest Group.
Whole Person Librarianship: Google Group and website.
Urban Librarians Unite. See their 2022 Urban Library Trauma Study: Final Report. https://urbanlibrariansunite.org/ults/
Books
The Public Library Association Social Worker Task Force. (2022). A trauma-informed framework for supporting patrons: The PLA workbook of best practices. ALA Editions.
Wahler, B.A., & Johnson, S.C. (2024). Creating a Person-Centered Library: Best Practices for Supporting High-Needs Patrons. Bloomsbury. https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/creating-a-personcentered-library-9781440880834/
More info on the book: OCLC Webinar and Circulating Ideas podcast
Zettervall, S. K., & Nienow, M. C. (2019). Whole person librarianship: A social work approach to patron services. Libraries Unlimited.
LIS education & 3 dual degree programs
Dominican University dual degree program MSW/MLIS (1 of 3)
Gross, M., Latham, D., Baum, B., Crabtree, L., & Randolph, K. (2023). “I didn’t know it would be like this”: Professional Preparation for Social-Service Information Work in Public Libraries. Journal of Education for Library and Information Science. https://doi.org/10.3138/jelis-2022-0067
Johnson, S. C. (2023). Teaching library students about-trauma informed approaches. Public Libraries, 62(3), 20-22.
Johnson, S.C. (2023). Teaching social work concepts to LIS students. 2023: ALISE Proceedings. ALISE, Milwaukee, WI. https://doi.org/10.21900/j.alise.2023.1282
Library Social Work. Elective MLIS course at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s School of Information Sciences.
Middle Tennessee State University dual degree program (2 of 3)
Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare designates Library Social Work as an area of practice for social work students
Trauma Informed Librarianship. Elective MLIS course at Emporia State University’s School of Library and Information Management.
University of Michigan dual degree program (3 of 3)
University of South Carolina iSchool’s certificate/track in Library/Social Work (new Fall ‘24). More info here.
Continuing education
Mental Health First Aid International
U.S. Legislation
More Social Workers (MSWs) in Libraries Act
News & Op Eds
Benson, D. (2022, January 3). Why your local library might be hiring a social worker. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/01/03/1063985757/why-your-local-library-might-be-hiring-a-social-worker
Herron, J. (2023, November 13). How to unlock healthier communities? It takes two. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/06/public-library-healthy-communities/
Jung, T. (2024, August 9). Social worker adds to services at Hoboken Public Library. NJ Spotlight News. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/06/public-library-healthy-communities/
Wernau, J. (2023, October 23). Libraries Are the New Front Line in America’s Mental-Health Crisis. WSJ Online. https://www.wsj.com/health/healthcare/library-services-homeless-mental-health-e1f513b7?page=1
Williams, P. (2024, May 23). Not Your Childhood Library. The New Yorker. https://www.newyorker.com/news/us-journal/not-your-childhood-library
Patrons experiencing homelessness
ABC News. (2023, May 4). Prime Focus: US libraries on the frontlines of homelessness [Video]. Youtube.
Aykanian, A., Morton, P., Trawver, K., Victorson, L., Preskitt, S., & Street, K. (2020). Library-based field placements: Meeting the diverse needs of patrons, including those experiencing homelessness. Journal of Social Work Education, 57(1), 72–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2020.1723757
Dowd, Ryan J. (2018). The librarian’s guide to homelessness: An empathy-driven approach to solving problems, preventing conflict, and serving everyone. ALA Editions.
Ryan Dowd Trainings: https://www.homelesstraining.com/
Provence, M. A. (2023). Changing How Libraries Respond to Patrons Experiencing Homelessness in Crisis: How Library Social Workers are Perceived to Reduce Reliance on Law Enforcement. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2023.2270807
Provence, M. A. (2023). Three Models of Practice: Impacts on the De-escalation Role of Library Social Workers During Crises with Patrons Experiencing Homelessness. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2023.2262074
Provence, M. A. (2020). Encouraging the Humanization of Patrons Experiencing Homelessness: A Case Study of the Role of the US Public Library Social Worker. The Library Quarterly, 90(4), 431–446. https://doi.org/10.1086/710258
Provence, M. A. (2018). From nuisances to neighbors.Advances in Social Work, 18(4), 1053–1067. https://doi.org/10.18060/22321