This study will examine the perceptions and experiences of library stakeholders regarding the appropriateness of and capacity for libraries to respond to their patrons’ psychosocial needs, and what this means for social work. 

It will explore best practices for service delivery and collaboration and address the educational and professional development needs of future and current social workers and librarians and the professional organizations that support them.  The general public, particularly those from marginalised communities who access essential services through libraries, will benefit when library employees and library systems are better positioned to serve them.

This project is funded in part by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and lead by a research team from Carleton University’s School of Social Work in Ottawa, Ontario.