Social Work and Library Care Coordination

Wednesday, November 5 | 12:00-1:00pm ET | 1.0 CEs

Virtual - Live Synchronous

Explore how social work is being reimagined in public spaces during this virtual presentation featuring a Library Social Worker from Ypsilanti Library. Learn how libraries are evolving into critical access points for social services, and the unique role social workers play in making that happen.

Objectives:

1. Describe the role and responsibilities of a Library Social Worker in addressing patrons' time-sensitive needs, including housing, mental health, and crisis intervention.
2 Identify strategies used by Library Social Workers to support both patrons and library staff, including case management, staff consultations, and community resource navigation.
3. Recognize how libraries serve as access points for social services and understand the value of community partnerships in expanding support beyond traditional 

Presenters

• Kat Layton, Ypsilanti District Library. Kat Layton is a clinical licensed social worker, harm reductionist, community organizer, and policy advocate whose work is deeply informed by personal experience connected to the criminal legal system — particularly through her father’s incarceration — and over a decade of cross-sector direct service. In her current role as a library social worker, Layton identifies gaps in community care systems and works to optimize the library as a hub for addressing patron and local systemic needs. Beyond her professional work, she leads civic education workshops and organizes with local coalitions to advance equity, access and collective liberation.
• Dr. Margaret Ann Paauw, Assistant Professor at Eastern Michigan University, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and author. Dr. Paauw has been practicing social work since 2012, working mainly with people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and serious mental illness. Dr. Paauw worked as a library social worker for the Chicago Public Library, was an active member of the Public Library Association’s Library Social Work Taskforce, facilitated the library social work direct service call, co-authored A Trauma-Informed Framework for Supporting Patrons and authored Navigating Difficult Situations in Public Libraries. Dr. Paauw has consulted on library social work partnerships and provided trauma-informed and de-escalation trainings to libraries across the country. Dr. Paauw’s main area of research has been the efficacy of library social work partnerships, building the body of research that contributes to evidence for this practice.

Cost

• Free 

CE Information

1 CE Credit

NASW-Michigan is an approved provider with the Michigan Social Work Continuing Education Collaborative, Provider Number MICEC-0017. All NASW-Michigan CE courses also qualify for MCBAP credits.