Social Work in Public Libraries: An International Scoping Review

ABSTRACT

This article reports on findings of an international scoping review of literature on social work in libraries. The review explored how social work is practised in libraries, and barriers and facilitators to embedding professional social work within public libraries. Using a literature search protocol, databases were systematically searched, and results refined through several phases of data screening, resulting in 16 articles eligible for inclusion. The dataset was thematically analysed by the research team. Data analysis revealed that most articles emanate from research undertaken in metropolitan settings in the United States, and that empirical research has typically been small-scale, using qualitative or mixed methods. Most articles described social work as multidimensional, including direct contact roles with library visitors, as well as indirect practice with library staff for professional development purposes. In the dataset, authors acknowledged the changing role of libraries that sees a greater focus on addressing social justice issues with increasingly diverse populations of library visitors and their evolving needs – a focus in common with social workers’ practice. Authors identified opportunities and challenges regarding interprofessional collaboration between social workers and library staff, including role boundaries and sustainability. Building on these themes, implications for future research and interprofessional practice are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Public libraries
• social work
• interprofessional partnerships
• social justice
• psychosocial needs

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by funding from the Charles Sturt University Future of the Professions Research Group. The initial database searches were carried out by Research Assistant, Dr Sue Henczel

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Charles Sturt University.

Notes on contributors

Monique Shephard

Monique Shephard, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Future of the Professions Research Group at Charles Sturt University. Monique’s academic experience spans 10 years across the disciplines of social work, teacher librarianship, English, and in PhD candidate training. Her PhD from Charles Sturt was interdisciplinary, grounded in knowledge from the social work, English and librarianship disciplines. Monique also has experience in private child and adolescent psychology practice, and in public libraries with a focus on the youth literature collection. Monique is a member of the Libraries Research Group, the Environmental and Social Justice Group, and the Social Equality Intersectionality & Inclusion Research Group at Charles Sturt. Her current research includes projects on adolescent mental health in schools, environmental practice in social work, disaster resilience and open access training for doctoral students.

Jane Garner

Jane Garner, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer with the School of Information and Communication Studies at Charles Sturt University. She is also a member of the Charles Sturt University Libraries Research Group, the Environmental and Social Justice Research Group, and the Future of the Professions Research Group. She is an elected Standing Committee member of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Library Services to People with Special Needs Section. Jane’s research and publications focus on the role of books, libraries, reading and information in the lives of people experiencing disadvantage, such as persons deprived of liberty and those experiencing homelessness or poverty.

Karen Bell

Karen Bell, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Social Work and co-leader of the Environmental and Social Justice Research Group and the Future of the Professions Research Group at Charles Sturt University. Karen’s record of research and publication reflects her interest in the philosophy of social work, post-anthropocentric and critical post humanist theory, gender and ecosocial work. Many of Karen’s publications explore the potential of post-conventional theory in relation to the philosophy of social work, qualitative research, gender, climate change and interprofessional practice. Karen’s current research collaborations include projects on disaster resilience, professional identity, international education, research capacity-building, gender and patriarchy, and interprofessional projects exploring social work in libraries.

Sabine Wardle

Sabine Wardle, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer with the School of Social Work and Arts at Charles Sturt University. Her research interests and publications focus on ecological social work, environmental sustainability in social work, social work in public libraries and promoting inclusion of people from diverse cultural backgrounds. She is an active member of Charles Sturt University’s Library Research Group and Environment and Social Justice Research Group. Sabine’s research remains focussed on the theme of social justice, cultural inclusion, embracing diversity and promoting the role of social workers and social work interns in public libraries.