Posted on July 22, 2019 at 8:00 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek

We all know that the modern library offers far more to its patrons beyond the ability to borrow books, movies, and music.

The latest service that many are providing? Access to social workers.

According to NPR, San Francisco was the first city to hire a social worker for its public library system, back in 2009, and about three dozen libraries have followed its example since then.

It isn’t simply about reacting to rising levels of need (which was our initial — sad — guess); it’s part of a broader trend toward providing community outreach in an easily accessible place.

Two library social workers and others in the field talked about these trends in a recent interview with NPR.

Other nontraditional library services

Categories: Today in Books

Tagged As: Libraries, NPR

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