Creating a Person-Centered Library: Best Practices for Supporting High-Needs Patrons

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Elizabeth A. Wahler (The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA) Sarah C. Johnson (University of Illinois, USA)

Creating a Person-Centered Library

Best Practices for Supporting High-Needs Patrons

Elizabeth A. Wahler (The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA), Sarah C. Johnson (University of Illinois, USA)

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English

Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited
22 February 2024

Library & information services

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.

By: Elizabeth A. Wahler (The University of North Carolina at Charlotte USA), Sarah C. Johnson (University of Illinois, USA)
Imprint: Bloomsbury Libraries Unlimited
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9781440880834
ISBN 10: 1440880832
Pages: 256
Publication Date: 22 February 2024
Recommended Age: From 7 to 17 years
Audience: College/higher education , College/higher education , Primary , Primary
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Acknowledgements Preface Introduction 1. Understanding Your Library’s Unique Needs 2. Transforming Library Culture 3. Person-Centered Programming and Services for Patrons’ Needs 4. Addressing the Needs of Specific Patron Populations 5. Library Collaborations for Addressing Patrons’ Needs 6. Organizational Approaches for Best Supporting Staff 7. Anticipating Challenges to Change Afterword Suggested Reading Appendix A. Sample Needs Assessment: Patrons Appendix B. Sample Needs Assessment: Staff Appendix C. Sample Needs Assessment: Community Appendix D. Referral Sheet Template Appendix E. Sample Behavior Response Guide Index

Elizabeth A. Wahler is Professor and Director of the School of Social Work at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USA. Sarah C. Johnson is adjunct lecturer at the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA.

Reviews for Creating a Person-Centered Library: Best Practices for Supporting High-Needs Patrons

What would it take for libraries to truly become places that support everyone who steps into them, including library workers themselves? Creating a Person-Centered Library answers this question in a clear, timely, and usable way. Drawing upon social work principles and practices, Wahler and Johnson guide us through the process of transforming relationships among library staff, with our patrons, and with our potential partners, including social workers themselves. Along the way, they deploy their extensive experience to guide us through challenges that may stand in the way of change, preparing us to clear those hurdles. I recommend this treasure trove of useful information to anyone striving to transform how libraries support both communities and themselves in the trying times in which we find ourselves. * Noah Lenstra, Associate Professor of Library & Information Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro *