Dr Keren Dali – Assistant Professor, Research Methods & Information Science Dept., Morgridge College of Education, University of Denver

Keynote 1 – The Information Lives of Our Clients: Information Science for Social Workers

Interprofessional collaborations between library & information science and social work have become a reality. This synergy is most evident in public libraries that hire social workers as library staff and in higher education where university departments are establishing specializations, certificates, and dual degrees. However, this collaboration builds almost exclusively around the role of social work knowledge, skills, and practice models in improving library services and enhancing the qualifications of library staff. Rarely do we discuss the current and potential contribution of information science to the education and practice of social workers. This appears as a particularly significant gap in today’s social environment whereby information and technology are integral to social work clients’ lives. This presentation will address this gap through specific examples from library and social work practice and graduate professional education.

Dr Beth Wahler – Director of the School of Social Work at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte

Presentation 1 – Trauma-Informed librarianship

This presentation will address “trauma-informed librarianship,” including the six principles of trauma-informed care and how they can be applied to library settings, the benefits of using a trauma-informed library approach, and examples of library services and programming offered through a trauma-informed lens. The discussion will include how trauma-informed library practice can support library staff as well as the patrons they serve. This presentation will discuss how the emerging area of library-based social work practice can assist with trauma-informed librarianship but will also include steps libraries can take to demonstrate a trauma-informed approach in the absence of an on-site social worker.

Mary Provence – LCSW, PhD Candidate, Indiana University School of Social Work, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Presentation 2 – 3 Models: Impacts on the De-escalation Role of Library Social Workers when Patrons Experiencing Homelessness are in Crisis.

This presentation will compare three different models of social work practice within urban central libraries in the United States and examine how each model impacts the role social workers play in de-escalating crises situations affecting patrons experiencing homelessness.  Presenting a portion of the data from an embedded multiple-case study across three libraries with 107 distinct participants collected through 91 surveys and 46 in-depth Zoom interviews, this discussion will reflect the perspectives of six different roles:  patrons experiencing homelessness, front-facing library staff, library police/security, chief executive officers, branch managers, and social workers.

Patrick Lloyd – Clinical Assistant Professor, The University of Texas at Austin, Steve Hicks School of Social Work.

Keynote 2 – A Light in the Dark: Courage, Protection, and the Public Library.

Books change lives. It’s one reason many of us are passionate about public libraries. While books will always be an important part of public libraries, many libraries are reimagining their roles. Social workers, live music, and weddings can now be found within our walls. Libraries aren’t just about books; they’re about people.

This session will explore the idea of public libraries as protective factors in the lives of all patrons, particularly those who are oppressed or marginalized. We will examine the unique place that public libraries occupy in our communities and consider the courage required to reject the status quo.

Former Community Resilience Consultant, Texas State Library and Archives Commission; Former co-chair, Social Worker Task Force, Public Library Association (US);
Former Community Resources Coordinator, Georgetown, Texas Public Library

Anna Lockwood – Senior Advisor – Inclusive Services, Connected Communities. Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau

Presentation 3 – Shifting practices from ‘the transactional’ to ‘the relational’

Initially Anna will discuss her pathway into library social work and later focus on her current role as Senior Advisor – Inclusive Services at Auckland Council – a Library Social Work adaptation. After describing where the role fits within Council, she will discuss the outcomes of her role, provide an overview of the key projects she is involved in and go into detail about the Peer Supervision Pilot Program, she is currently running in partnership with Central Hub staff.
Overall, Anna is fascinated by public libraries as both ‘problematic and exemplary public institutions’ and believes that stationing social workers in alternative environments can help to reimagine the social work profession and the organisations we work within. Marginalised populations are often forced to live out their private lives in public spaces like libraries. This can leave people with no other choice but to reappropriate these spaces to gain a sense of belonging – a sense of ‘home’.  Through engaging in how marginalised populations reappropriate public spaces like libraries, Anna believes we can work together to challenge notions of ‘hard to reach’ and remove barriers to access, through meeting people where they are at.”

Leanne Mitchell – PhD Candidate, Charles Sturt University; Churchill Fellow.

Presentation 4 – Can libraries end homelessness? Stories and reflections from a Churchill Fellowship

Jumping straight off a plane and right into our Symposium, Leanne will reflect on her recent Churchill Fellowship investigating how Councils can respond to homelessness while balancing responsibilities to the wider community.

Visiting the UK, US and Canada from September to November 2022, Leanne has had the chance to meet with council officers, elected officials, service providers, academics and library social workers to understand the role that Councils can play in preventing and responding to homelessness.

Having visited a selection of libraries in New York, Baltimore, Washington DC and San Francisco, all running social worker programs, she will provide observations pertinent to an Australian context and reflect on how an approach embracing deliberate collaboration and the pursuit of non-traditional partnerships might improve outcomes for library visitors with diverse and complex needs.

Panel Members

Anne-Marie Pfabe – Manager, City of Melbourne Libraries

Anne-Maree Pfabe has been the Library Manager at the City of Melbourne since 2016. Prior to this time she has worked in leadership positions in libraries, arts and events. In 2019 the City of Melbourne was the first library in Australia to employ a social worker.  Anne-Maree until recently was a committee member of Public Libraries Victoria (PLV), the peak body for Victorian public libraries and has been involved in the development of projects such a statewide Health and Wellbeing Framework.  City of Melbourne Libraries are currently leading a project on improving digital literacy and infrastructure for its vulnerable communities.

Christine Bolton – Manager Library Services, Wagga Wagga City Library

Christine Bolton has 21 years of public library experience. For the past nine years she has held the role Team Leader, Outreach Services at Wagga Wagga City Library, before being appointed as Manager Library Services in October 2022. Outside her work in libraries, Chrissie primarily worked in roles that champion social inclusion and community connection; including as a Disability Employment Case Manager, a Community Housing Officer, a Youth Worker, and a School Business Community Partnership Broker.

Dr Sabine Wardle – School of Social Work and Arts, Charles Sturt University

Dr Sabine Wardle is a senior lecturer in the School of Social Work and Arts at Charles Sturt University. Sabine is an active member of Charles Sturt University’s Library Research group and Environment and Social Justice Research Group. Her research is focused on social justice, embracing diversity, and promoting the role of social workers in public libraries. Sabine spearheaded the project introducing social work student placements at regional public libraries in New South Wales.

Erin McKeegan – Library Social Worker, City of Melbourne Libraries

I have 13 years of diverse social worker experiences ranging from forensic mental health, public hospital settings, social welfare, and Aboriginal primary health, and across all tiers of government, as well as the largest Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation in the Northern Territory. I spent 8 years in the Northern Territory, providing social work services to urban and remote clients in Central Australia, including First Nations. A highlight of my social work career included almost 2 years living and working in a remote community west of Mparntwe/Alice Springs. I returned to Naarm/Melbourne where I have been employed with the City of Melbourne as a library social worker since March 2021.

Click Here to Register

Join the conversation:
Instagram: @swil.2022
Twitter: @SWIL2022

Back to Home