View this webinar to explore the concept of "Whole Person Librarianship" and to learn how a range of social work approaches can be applied to improve library services. We invite you to look at all aspects of your library through a social service lens, including policies, spaces, community partnerships, and programming. Additionally, we discuss the amazing benefits and possibilities that exist when libraries collaborate with social workers who can bring expertise and capacity to the community through the library. You will leave knowing how to conduct a community needs assessment and how to identify resources and social services you can provide through your library. You’ll explore new ideas and goals to incorporate within your strategic plan, and gain the confidence necessary to advocate for whole person services at your library.

This webinar was hosted in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries.

Presented by: Ashley Stewart, MSW, Library Director, Caseyville Public Library District (IL)

Access Recording

• View Webinar Recording (You will be prompted to login to our free Course Catalog.)

Webinar Attachments

• View slides (pdf)
  
• View chat (xls)
• View captions (txt)
  
• Learner Guide (doc) Use alone or with others to extend your learning.

Related Resources and Links

• Resources for Social Work and Library Collaboration
  
• ALA’s Social Work Interest Group
• PLA’s Social Worker Task Force
• Social Workers in Public Libraries - Public Libraries Online
• Public Libraries as Anchor Institutions in Smart Communities: Current Practices and Future Development, 2019
• Community Wellbeing in an Unwell World: Trends, Challenges, and Possibilities, 2008
• Community Wellbeing Framework, DIALOG
  
• Bibliotherapy: From library war service to science, Mary Mahoney, 2017
• The Body Keeps Score, by Bessel van der Kolk, 2015
• A Trauma-Informed Approach to Library Services, by Rebecca Tolley, 2020
  
• The Spooon Theory graphic
• Assistive Technology: What You Need to Know Library Accessibility Tip Sheet (pdf) ASCLA
• Safe Place
• Sensory Inclusive™ Certification, KultureCity
• Whole Person Librarianship: A Social Work Approach to Patron Services, Sara K. Zettervall and Mary C. Nienow, 2019 and Whole Person Librarianship website
  
• Childwelfare.gov, Community Needs Assessment
• Other examples of data sources with community health assessments: Illinois Report Card, St. Clair County Community Health Improvement Plan, Memorial Health, and BJC Memorial Hospitals
• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, SimplyPscyhology.org
• Asset Mapping (pdf) UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
• Community and Asset Mapping for Special Librarians, Stephen Abram
• Caseyville Public Library District Blog
• Canva templates for CPLD's Tough Topics Flyer and Tough Topics Bookmark
• Intellectual Freedom Challenges to Library Initiated programs: Some Recent Examples in Illinois Libraries, ILA Reporter, September 2022
• What Should I Know About Book Bans in the US and Illinois Right Now, Illinois Library Association presentation by Kelly Jensen, Book Riot
• What is inclusion and why it matters now more than ever?, by Perrine Farque, 2021
• Understanding Inclusion graphic by Elissa Malespina
• National Association of Social Workers and Code of Ethics
• ALA's Core Values of Librarianship
• Map where library-social work collaborations are taking place, WholePersonLibrarianship.com
• EveryLibrary.org
• Links shared in chat
• Jackson County Library District Social Services
• Madera County Library Community Connections Resources Directory
• Austin Public Library Social Services Info Guide
• Troy Public Library Extra Needs
• Jeanette Albiez Davis Library Social Service Resources
• 3 Realms of ACEs graphic
• Mental Health First Aid and Trauma-Informed Approaches for Libraries, WebJunction webinar
  
• Spell Slots and Spoon Theory
• Hunger and Libraries: Snacks, Backpacks and More, WebJunction article
• Discover Community Needs and Interests, WebJunction resource
• Libraries Transforming Communities resources, including hosting focus groups
• Growing Library Garden Programs, WebJunction resource
• Pasco Library partners with a local hospital health outreach worker
• Autin Public Library's Seed Collection
• Twinsburg Public Library case study: distributing Deterra drug disposal bags at the library (pdf)
• Social Work Interns Google Drive and Social Work Interns in GroupMe