eBook resources
Re-Envisioning the MLS by ISBN: 9781787548855Publication Date: 2018-04-13eBook that reviews the education of library and information science students in the future. In Chapter 6, the connections between library science and social work practice are discussed and analyzed using a comparative study of librarians serving immigrant populations in the U.S. and Canada. The author explains that while come training can help, there needs to be more formative training since the library’s current role as an intermediary for sources may not be sufficient for certain patrons. It presents micro-, mezzo-, and macro-levels of professional practices and different approaches from the field of social work. This book provides a detailed look at how the professions are connected and how practices may be shared in the future.
Educational Practices for Library Staff and Future Professionals
- Library-Based field placements: Meeting the diverse needs of patrons...Describes three examples of graduate student social workers being placed in public libraries for service experience. Shows how educational practices in social work are working with libraries to meet patron needs. It explains how they practice in the library, what services they offer, and if changes had been made to the work as the program progressed. It gives guidance of implementation for interested institutions. It concludes that social workers enhance the library’s services and both benefit from the mutual partnership.
- MSW interns and public libraries...The study by Sarah Johnson looks at graduate students in social work as possible candidates to support social work in a public library setting. It acknowledges the budding partnership of libraries and social workers as a natural idea based on their shared ideologies like advocacy and providing services to vulnerable populations. This presents examples of active library and social work collaborations.
- What the field needs: Core knowledge, skills, and abilities for public librarianshipThis study looks at the core aspects of working in a public library. The primary purpose of the study is to identify the central principles and values librarians hold in relation to the profession. In the discussion, it mentions participants stressing the value of training future librarians in social work practices and managing conflict. It concludes that valuing social work skills is one of many additional attributes future librarians or library staff should ideally possess to best serve the community.
- Preparing the next generation of librarians for family and community engagementDiscusses the education and preparation of librarians when working with families. It reviews a framework of successful goals for focus to improve librarianship. It looks to envision the future of the profession but also promotes collaboration with other disciplines like social work in order to provide the best service to patrons. This focuses on an educational perspective but it applies to future librarian practices of community outreach.