Library Social Work

While this episode isn’t solely focused on library social work, there’s definitely some overlap. The vehicle residents Dr. Montague studies face many of the same access challenges that library workers encounter with patrons. And although living in a vehicle isn’t identical to being unhoused, the two experiences are connected—especially as more people turn to their cars for shelter in the face of rising housing costs and stagnant wages.

In addition to discussing what Kaitlin has learned from doing fieldwork at information-sharing events for mobile communities, we discuss what libraries can do to support vehicle residents, how we might better prepare MLIS students for public-facing roles, and the day-to-day stressors many public library workers are navigating.

When we recorded this conversation last December, Kaitlin was in the thick of writing her dissertation. Since then, she’s earned her Ph.D. from Rutgers University (2025), where she also completed her Master of Information back in 2016. Now, Kaitlin is a postdoc and lecturer at the Institute of Library and Information Science at Humboldt University in Berlin. Her research focuses on how people living in their vehicles find and use information—especially how mobility and constant movement shape what kind of access they have. Before diving into her doctoral work, Kaitlin worked as a public librarian from 2017 to 2020.

Heads up: the audio gets a little murky in places, but stick with it—it’s worth it.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Peggy Morton, LCSW, to explore the expansion of NYU’s Silver School of Social Work field placements in branches of the New York Public Library. We discuss the alignment between the core values of social work and librarianship, along with the unique ethical challenges students encounter in public library environments. Dr. Morton highlights the practical skills students develop through these placements, the potential impact of stipends in formalizing library social work as a field of practice, and the ways social work programs can educate students about the essential contributions libraries make to individuals and communities alike.

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Dr. Mary A. Provence, an assistant professor of social work at Ball State University, brings 32 years of experience across micro and macro practice. She began her career as a street outreach worker for youth experiencing homelessness and has since focused her research on library social work, particularly its connection to homelessness. In this episode, we explore her findings on how employing social workers in public libraries helps reduce reliance on law enforcement.

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Dr. Margaret Ann Paauw is a leading voice in library social work, bringing a wealth of experience as an Assistant Professor at Eastern Michigan University, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and an author. With a background as a library social worker for the Chicago Public Library, she has played a pivotal role in advancing the field. She was an active member of the Public Library Association’s Library Social Work Taskforce, facilitated the library social work direct service call, and co-authored A Trauma-Informed Framework for Supporting Patrons.

In this discussion, we explore her research on the experiences of library-based social work professionals, shedding light on both the key facilitators and the barriers to successful partnerships between libraries and social workers.

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Dr. Rachel D. Williams is a former public librarian and current LIS educator at the University of South Carolina's School of Information Science. We explore USC’s new library social work certificate program, integrating social work components into LIS education, boundary management, and the necessary components to support library workers. 

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Dr. Jane Garner is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Information & Communication Studies at Charles Sturt University in New South Wales, Australia. She also co-hosts the Surviving the Stacks podcast alongside Dr. Beth Wahler. I'm thrilled to have Jane on the show to share a non-U.S. perspective on library-social work collaborations. In our conversation, we explore her current research interests and the mission of her podcast: supporting public library staff by reminding them they are not alone in navigating the challenges of their work.

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Dr. Caroline Sharkey shares her expertise on helping to implement trauma-informed approaches in public libraries alongside social work students from the University of Georgia. As a social worker, clinical supervisor, and trauma-informed trainer, Dr. Sharkey speaks to the centrality of social inclusion, how social workers can amplify the expertise and empathy that libraries already exhibit, and what trauma informed approaches looks like in public libraries. 

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As the Community Wellness Program Manager at the NYPL, Sharita Sims describes her two-fold responsibilities of overseeing her library's social work students program and outreach to community partners. She outlines the thorough steps taken to prepare and vet library branches who may host a social work student as well as how she orients the student to their assigned library branch. Sharita also explains the process of partnering with community organizations. 

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Christina Connolly is the Community Resources Manager at Worcester Public Library (WPL). Her team is comprised of a social worker, New Americans Librarian, and two security officers. Christina describes the path that informed WPL's decision to hire a social worker, the services and programs she provides to both the community and library staff, and lessons learned so far about their partnership.

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Leah is a licensed clinical social worker and Clinical Assistant Professor at the Stony Brook School of Social Welfare. Along with a colleague, she provides group supervision to 20 students conducting their practicum placements at 30 public libraries throughout Long Island. Leah shares her insights about what makes Stony Brook’s library social work program successful as well as her current research on the (good and bad) experiences of current and former library social workers. 

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