Enhancing Social Services in Libraries Across Canada
Libraries across Canada are increasingly incorporating social workers to address common needs such as homelessness, poverty, mental health, and substance use. By understanding personal backgrounds and providing support, libraries and social workers are working together to help those in survival mode transition to stability.
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Presentation Transcript
Outreach Workers at SPL
Hello! I am Michelle Zabiaka saskatoonlibrary.ca
Common Themes Trends Across Canada
Common Themes Across Canada, there is a trend of placing social workers inside libraries Libraries are the last available (and accessible) neutral zone Different methods of implementation and service delivery Partnerships, Intensive Case Management, Drop In, etc. Common misconceptions Counselling vs. system navigation Social workers = no more incidents
Common Needs Trends Across Canada
Common Needs Needs and concerns vary by location, however there are some common needs across the province and the country: Homelessness Poverty Mental Health Substance Use System Navigation Isolation Living your life in survival mode
Understanding Personal Backgrounds
Personal Backgrounds Understanding this is not a life that is chosen. Trauma and abuse Family relations Childhood experiences Learned behaviours and coping strategies Continuously living in survival mode because it s your normal and you don t know how to live outside of it
What To Do About It Libraries: Keep doing what you are doing provide a free space for people to come hang out, free programs, etc. Understand that behaviours are a result from previous experiences. Use empathy and understanding. A Librarian s Guide to Homelessness Ryan Dowd Social Workers: Help navigate this world Provide support and advocacy for these individuals Help gain stability
Social Workers & Libraries
Strengths Incorporating a new world of knowledge into the library (knowledge of social systems, policies, and supporting agencies) New roles allow for new programs and services to be tailored directly to the library s needs New roles with no preconceived ideas about the role. New ways of collaborating with the community Neutral territory
Considerations Flexibility is key Meeting patrons when and where they are in need Being able to come and go from the library to support patrons in need Institutions are often their own barrier We can t fix everything Ultimately, it is up to the patron to decide what they want to do with themselves Nothing is instant Building relationships and trust, complex issues, habitual behaviours Success is measured differently
Whats Happening at SPL Drop-in focused Being present at the library Connecting patrons to specific community resources Outreach and referrals Staff education Brief counselling, system navigation, finding solutions to patrons issues Information beyond what the library can offer Bulletin board, handouts, etc. Only 7 months in continuously adapting and evolving
