Abstract:
Libraries began hiring social service professionals to be a part of the library staff in 2009 (Blank,
2014). Since then, the practice of having a social worker on staff or collaborating with local
social service agencies is growing in popularity in many metropolitan areas. Libraries have
become a place where many homeless people gather when shelters close for the day. Having a
social worker on staff at a library helps provide people with the resources to meet their basic
needs. Many libraries are still experimenting with the best ways to implement social work
services and may benefit from the suggestions in a basic guide. The following two guides are
presented in this paper: one for an urban library and one for a rural library. These guides contain
general needs found in each area, potential service ideas, potential community partners and
professional service providers, and resources tailored to the needs of both kinds of libraries.
