Introduction
This page contains a non-exhaustive catalog of relevant organizations and populations that have supported the cause for social work in libraries, or have a vested interest.
Supporter Organizations are organizations that have funded (donated) to the cause, and may be an advocate for subjects related to the field. These supporters may have collaborated or directly facilitated programs and trainings as well.
Sponsor Organizations are organizations who have made direct contributions regarding this topic. This may include grants, or documentation or research pertaining to social work in a library organization. Please see Funding a Library Social Worker for more information on funding.
Supporters
National Alliance on Mental Illness
On May 1st, 2023, Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia published a press release for the More MSWs in Libraries Act that listed many sponsors. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) being one of them. NAMI defines themselves as " the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness". Social workers were stated to be the “largest group of professionals” in treating mental health (Kourgiantakis et al., 2019).
American Library Association
The American Library Association responded to Sylvia Garcia's post on the MSW in Libraries Act on April 28, 2023, in favor of the bill. The American Library Association defines themselves as "the oldest and largest library association in the world” (American Library Association, n.d.). The ALA states that the bill will "build on" programs already established in libraries across the nation, as the library currently serves their communities and many of which already staff and provide social work services (“Map,” 2019). The ALA further states that social work would be a "key resource" to patrons and staff (ALA Public Policy & Advocacy [@LibraryPolicy], 2023).
Pay Our Interns
Pay Our Interns publicly supported the MSWs in Libraries Act on twitter on May 2nd, 2023. Pay Our Interns describes themselves as " the nation’s leading organization fighting to ensure all students have equitable access to professional career paths through the implementation of paid internships countrywide". POI supports the bill's inclusion of a paid internship pipeline that would support future social workers when they take on "1,000 hours of fieldwork" (Pay Our Interns [@payourinterns], 2023). This would be especially important for studying social workers in low-income areas.
The Case Management Society of America
The Case Management Society of America posted on their website in support of More Social Workers (MSWs) in Libraries Act. CMSA describes themselves "[as] the authority for the professional practice of case management to improve the health of individuals, families, caregivers, and support systems within their communities". In a study published in 2016, Case Management was defined as “a complex integrated health and social care intervention [that] makes a unique contribution to the health, social care and participation of people with complex health conditions” (Lukersmith et al., 2016). This system relies on social workers in aiding those with these complex health conditions and with their case managers.
National Association of Social Workers
The National Association of Social Workers takes a call to support MSWs in Libraries Act (National Association of Social Workers, n.d.-b). The NASW is "the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world" (National Association of Social Workers, n.d.-a). As such an organization, NASW has listed in their many areas of advocacy, the connection between libraries and social workers in their respective communities in regard to their support of the bill.
Sponsors
Institute of Museum and Library Services
The IMLS describes itself as an organization with the goal of "[advancing, supporting, and empowering] America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development" (Institute of Museum and Library Services, n.d.). The IMLS has contributed many grants to different libraries, including a grant to the State Library of Iowa in the amount of $246,000 in support of social work programs (State Library of Iowa, 2023). This was part of the 21st Century Library Grant Program, which has made several contributions to programs involving social work in the library and in museums (Institute of Museum and Library Services, 2024).
Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL)
The ACLR describes themselves as " the largest division of the American Library Association, develops programs, products, and services to help those working in academic and research libraries learn, innovate, and lead within the academic community " (American Library Association, 2011). Their missions include "advancing learning, transforming scholarship, and creating diverse and inclusive communities". The ACRL is a subsidiary of the American Library Association, and has a committee dedicated to social work in their Education and Behavioral Sciences Section (EBSS). The EBSS Social Work Committee acts as "a forum for librarians who serve social work/social welfare fields in academic settings; to sponsor discussions and programs; to produce publications to meet the needs of this clientele; and to undertake liaison activities with other professional organizations as appropriate" (EBSS Social Work Committee, n.d.).
Whole Person Librarianship
Whole Person Librarianship is a group founded by two students Sara K. Zettervall and Mary C. Nienow investigating the gap of social services (Zettervall, 2017). You can read more about them on their website or our page here. Whole Person Librarianship offers direct consultation, guest lectures, and has written a book about the subject. Their book, also titled Whole Person Librarianship, "guides librarians through the practical process of facilitating connections among libraries, social workers, and social services; explains why those connections are important; and puts them in the context of a national movement" (Zettervall & Nienow, 2019).
Patrons
Low Income
Many Americans from different walks of life rely on the library for information. By 2015, over 40% of library patrons were reported to have an income lower than 30 (Horrigan, 2015). 76% patrons are reported to ask for help using digital government tools for taxes, aid and other programs (Larra Clark & Karen Archer Perry, 2015).
Mental Illness
In 2018, 50% of library respondents reported frequent interactions concerning mental illness, 94% with reported interactions regarding employment (Whiteman, 2018).
Homeless and Unemployed
Libraries are considered one of the “front-lines” regarding homelessness. Almost 30% of libraries report at least 10% of their patrons struggle with homelessness (Pressley, 2017). Some librarians feel they are not equipped to handle such concerns which is where social work services may fill in that gap (Ryan, 2023).