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