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Title details for Creating a Person-Centered Library by Elizabeth A. Wahler - Available

Creating a Person-Centered Library

Best Practices for Supporting High-Needs Patrons

by Elizabeth A. Wahler
Sarah C. Johnson
ebook
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Creating a Person-Centered Library provides a comprehensive overview of various services, programs, and collaborations to help libraries serve high-needs patrons as well as strategies for supporting staff working with these individuals.
While public libraries are struggling to address growing numbers of high-needs patrons experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, mental health problems, substance abuse, and poverty-related needs, this book will help librarians build or contribute to library services that will best address patrons' psychosocial needs.
The authors, experienced in both library and social work, begin by providing an overview of patrons' psychosocial needs, structural and societal reasons for the shift in these needs, and how these changes impact libraries and library staff. Chapters focus on best practices for libraries providing person-centered services and share lessons learned, including information about special considerations for certain patron populations that might be served by individual libraries. The book concludes with information about how library organizations can support public library staff.
Librarians and library students who are concerned about both patrons and library staff will find the practical advice in this book invaluable.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    December 28, 2023

  • Formats

    • Kindle Book

    • OverDrive Read

      • ISBN: 9798216171140

    • EPUB ebook

      • ISBN: 9798216171140
      • File size: 560 KB

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Library Journal

      June 1, 2024

      Many public libraries are expected to "do more with less," and they struggle to provide specialized services for patrons whose needs may not be met by traditional service offerings. Wahler (Sch. of Social Work, Univ. of North Carolina at Charlotte) and Johnson (Sch. of Information Sciences, Univ. of Illinois) offer suggestions for working with patrons who may be unhoused or experiencing food insecurity, substance-use disorder, mental health issues, and more. They suggest a range of potential services, including partnering with social workers, promoting health and wellness, and collaborating with external agencies. Additionally, they provide examples tailored to specific patron populations. Wahler and Johnson caution that these programs should be undertaken with intention and should be based on verified information about community needs. To this end, they include instructions on conducting needs assessments and adopting a trauma-informed approach to patron interactions. Acknowledging that libraries may need to undergo organizational change to support these programs, Wahler and Johnson provide suggestions for effecting change among library staff, patrons, and external decision-makers. Furthermore, they advocate for supporting staff members who may take on additional burdens while providing services. VERDICT A helpful collection that will inform high-needs patron services, targeted toward public libraries but useful everywhere.--Rebekah Kati

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • Kindle Book
  • OverDrive Read
  • EPUB ebook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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