Social Workers and Librarians Working Together to 'Humanize' the Homeless

In recent years, public libraries have increasingly hired social workers to help with at-risk populations get the resources they need. CityLab has an article about San Jose hiring the first library social worker to help connect the homeless patrons with assistance, mental services, and counseling. The homeless often take refuge at the public library where they find shelter from inclement weather and a daytime roof where they have access to media.

“These programs are humanizing homelessness throughout the library,” says Esguerra. “The library becomes a sanctuary for many of the patrons and our program helps them to feel safe again.”

Related content:

• Library Offers Homeless People Mental Health Services, And It’s Working (The Huffington Post)
• D.C. adds a social worker to library system to work with homeless patrons (The Washington Post)
• Library social worker helps homeless seeking quiet refuge (PBS Newshour)
• Public Libraries Add Social Workers and Social Programs (The New Social Worker)
• Extending Our Reach: Reducing Homelessness Through Library Engagement (American Library Association)
• From nurses to social workers, see how public libraries are serving the homeless (PBS Newshour)
• Peer-Reviewed Academic Journal: Envisioning Libraries as Collaborative Community Anchors for Social Service Provision to Vulnerable Populations