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.

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.

This 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.

Discusses 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.

This study examines the changing role of libraries and addressing patrons psychosocial needs. There is also guidelines for libraries hiring social workers and practicum placements and things to consider before adding these roles to the library. Published in 2023.

13 public library branch managers were asked about their perceptions on social workers in the library. The perception is positive on social workers in libraries but there are still issues at hand. The role of social workers in libraries, how best to collaborate and what additional supervision were some of the issues cited from the interviews. Published in August 2022.