Librarian or social worker: Time to look at the blurring lineAcademic perspective that reviews the concept of librarians addressing more comprehensive patron needs. It explains that despite not being trained as a social worker, librarians often address sensitive patron needs to varying degrees of success and patron benefits. She discusses working that libraries have to adjust since they have become a haven for many experiencing homelessness. It also presents the idea of combining 211 referrals to help patrons and to collaborate more with social service agencies. The author concludes that as trends continue the library must address how to work with stakeholders and change practices to best serve all patrons.
Cathcart, R. (2008). Librarian or social worker: Time to look at the blurring line. The Reference Librarian, 49(1), 87-91, DOI: 10.1080/02763870802103845