The month of March is National Social Work Month, and social work ties into libraries. Access to knowledge is always available at the library and the philosophy of social work in libraries is the same. Access to support is open and as unrestricted as possible for those who need it. The library is still the one place anyone can go, be who they are, and get knowledge and help for free.
Here at The Floyd County Library, we have a Social Services Leader and Social Work Interns who help patrons with their needs. They help with housing resources, job resources, working in the food pantry to help with food needs, and many other things. Sometimes patrons just need someone to listen to them, and that is very important for patrons who may be struggling. Everyone has a story that we may not know about, and it is important for them to have a safe place to talk.
Every Tuesday at 2:00, there are office hours for Social Services. Patrons have the ability to stop by and say hello to the social services team in the gallery.
If you need to speak with a social worker at the library, you can set up an appointment by using the library’s website: Click Here to set up an Appointment with a Social Worker.
I invited our Social Services Leader, Payton Barger, to write about why she chose to lend her knowledge and services to the Floyd County Library and why those services are so important. Here is what she said:
Social Services in the Library setting began in 2009 at the San Francisco Public Library when they hired the first ever full time Social Worker in a public library setting. At the Floyd County Library we hired our first social worker on staff in 2020 and that role transitioned to myself in February of 2023. I attended a library program in 2021 and spoke to Melissa Merida, Director of the Floyd County Library and I shared that I was working in the social work field in Louisville, and she shared they had a social worker on staff and I was immediately interested in the role and learning more. I was very excited when I saw the position had opened up in 2022 and I quickly applied. I was drawn to this role because of the innovative and creative opportunity to meet people where they are.
My role is a mix of connecting patrons to resources and programs, outreach to our community members and partners, overseeing donations and grants for the pantry, supervising practicum students, and assisting with de-escalation if needed. I love that every day is different, and I never know what someone might need resources for. I’ve spoken with mothers and children seeking safety and shelter from domestic violence, I’ve talked with older adults looking to volunteer somewhere in the community, assisted patrons with finding case management opportunities for their specific needs, and assisted patrons with seeking treatment and resources for mental health challenges just as a few examples. I love meeting people where they are, and if where they are at in the moment is that mentally they are not ready to connect to resources or programs that can help them, I’m glad to meet them and get to know them and they know where I’m at when they’re ready.
Programs I host are resource days at the library where I bring resources into the library that can assist patrons. Coffee and Conversations is a program which allows community members of all walks of life an opportunity to chat and find commonalities or learn more about each other.
In Indiana there are three library systems that have social workers, Marion County, Allen County and Floyd County. There are social workers in libraries all across the US, all meeting people where they are and where they go for help – their local Library.
If you know a special Social Worker, don’t forget to thank them for all the work they do!
Happy Reading!
