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Social workers teaming up with libraries, but not in P.A.

Feb 14, 2017 | 9:00 AM

The president of the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers said he sees the benefits of having a social work at public libraries.

The idea isn’t new, as libraries across the country have started bringing in social workers to provide services to those in need. The library in Edmonton currently has three registered social workers while the one in Kitchener, Ont. recently announced it would be following suit.

Ryan Labatt, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Social Workers, said he hadn’t specifically heard any libraries in this province bringing in social workers but he recognized there would be real benefits in doing so.

“Libraries are one of the few places that are truly accessible in our communities,” he said. “People visit libraries for a variety of reasons. I can see a lot of benefit in having social workers present to be able to further articulate other referral opportunities that exist in our communities.”

Although he recognized the good social workers in libraries could do, Labatt said the pairing might not make sense in all cases.

The John M. Cuelenaere Public Library in Prince Albert doesn’t have a social worker on staff, but that doesn’t mean patrons aren’t receiving help.

Deputy Director Greg Elliott said library staff do what they can to help direct people to the services they may need.

Elliott said the library in Prince Albert doesn’t have the capacity to bring on a social worker. A big hurdle, he said, would be covering the salary.

“It is outside of our means at the present moment,” Elliott said. “We don’t have access to those resources but we do see people coming in to gain further knowledge [and] receive information about social services. We will definitely inform people of social services, and we do that already.”

Elliott explained the city provides a lot of support, but at the moment bringing on a social worker isn’t on the table. At the end of the day, Elliott said he sees the library as a means to help the community prosper and grow.

“We’re here for the patrons to gain further knowledge and further information as well as to entertain them and to inform them not just simply what’s happen at the library but as a community as a whole, and even in the world as a whole,” Elliott said.

 

Jeff.Labine@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @labinereporter