November 17, 2021
Topic: Social Work in Public Libraries
Speaker: Leah Esguerra, Social Worker, San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, San Francisco Public Library
Next Meeting: January 20, 2022 Topic: Book Clubs, Old & New (Virtual)
Attendees:
Nicole, Tarrant
Shannon, Hoover
Theresa, Hoover
Anicha, BPL
Michelle, Irondale
Brooke, Central BPL
Rachel, Five Points West
Pam, Hoover
Leslie, Avondale
Kristie, Hoover
Reba, Titusville
Sue, Hueytown
Lynn, West End
Pam, Southside
Josh, Central BPL
Melanie, Hoover
Maura, Trussville
Tamiko, Inglenook
TNixon, Inglenook
Tisha, Homewood
Bridget, Homewood
Sam, Springville Road
Elizabeth, Inglenook
Terri, Vestavia Hills
Our discussion began with Leah explaining her work at the San Francisco Public Library. It is a very unique position and the group of social workers and aides are unmatched by any other library in the world. San Francisco itself is extremely impacted by homelessness, which led to the hiring of Leah. For more, please view the video of our discussion. Although a lot of what Leah talked about cannot be replicated here, there are strategies that she recommends and resources that we can find locally to help our own patrons. (Personally, I felt a good deal of what she said validated some of the practices that we have here at Hoover but was impressed and quite a bit jealous of the support Leah receives from her surrounding community.)
Below, I have copied the follow-up email from Leah listing resources, continuing education opportunities and recommendations. Below that, I have compiled local resources that we discussed in the meeting that may aid us in helping our patrons.
View the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c85F-dJwXRQ
Recommendations and resources from Leah Esguerra, LMFT, San Francisco Public Library
(Local Resources discussed in meeting are at the end)
First and foremost, I/Leah encourage you to continue to have the conversation with your library system even though they will be difficult conversations. As I had mentioned SFPL had these conversations with the Department of Public Health, and with the Mayor's office for 6 years based on what I have been told before I came onboard.
Please include voices, as well, that matter such as people experiencing homelessness, mental health and substance use challenges. Reach out to mental health clinics and local organizations for them to provide the library with guidance through consultations and trainings. Partner up with other organizations who serve the patrons you see at your library, as well as advocacy groups.
And please vet trainers as well. As a former co-chair for PLA Social Work Task Force, my co-chairs and I, as well as members of the task force, had been consulted on many occasions about what our thoughts were regarding several trainers who present as experts on homelessness and libraries, and other issues that are associated with being unhoused.
Good questions to ask -- "Are they respectful when they talk about at-risk individuals?" The language of respect should be 100 percent, otherwise it will be patronizing or tokenizing. Do they use People First Language? Do they ridicule, make fun of or make blanket statements regarding unhoused people? Do they “OTHER” unhoused patrons instead of fostering a sense of shared humanity and community of belongingness? Do they offer a blanket solution/easy fix? (As a social worker, there are none of these. The best approach is person-centered and trauma-informed.)
Here is some additional information as well. I am sorry that I cannot come up with more, as most of the resources I have are based in San Francisco and California. A great way to start is to create a database of free community resources (free places to eat, shelters, primary care clinics, legal, veteran, free clothing, etc) that you can provide to patrons who are needing these services.
- This is a great movie about mental health challenges. I have shown this to the staff then facilitated a discussion.
KVIE Presents | A New State of Mind - Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness | PBS
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KVIE Presents | A New State of Mind - Ending the Stigma of Mental Illness | PBS A New State of Mind exams the story of everyday people through their struggles, recovery, and resilience in the face of mental health challenges. www.pbs.org |
- Mental Health Association of San Francisco -- They are leaders in providing trainings on mental health as well.
Home - Mental Health Association San Francisco (mentalhealthsf.org)
- DOPE Project (National Harm Reduction Coalition) -- They have provided San Francisco with training on Narcan, which saved dozens of lives as we encounter overdoses at SFPL. It is a volunteer training for library staff who find the trainings very useful.
DOPE Project | National Harm Reduction Coalition
Media coverages which highlight SFPL's Social Service Program and its successes (if you have not seen these yet):
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/library-social-worker-helps-homeless-seeking-quiet-refuge
Local Resources to utilize:
1. Alabama Department of Human Resources, Children & Family Services Policies. https://dhr.alabama.gov/family-services/children-and-family-services-policy/
2. Family Voices of Alabama, Resources. https://familyvoicesal.org/resources/?category=&text=&action=List
3. Alabama
Public Health Guide to Services (pdf)
https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/publications/assets/guidetoservices.pdf
4. Whole
Person Librarianship: The Hub for Library/Social Work Collaboration.
https://wholepersonlibrarianship.com/
5. Webjunction
past webinar available:
Whole Person Librarianship: Fostering Empathy in Challenging Times
https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/whole-person-librarianship.html
6. Rekindling
from Burnout: Lessons and Strategies for Public Library Workers, An Infopeople
Webinar (Webinar is archived)
https://infopeople.org/civicrm/event/info?id=1009&reset=1
