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In 2009, San Francisco Public Library created the first dedicated, full-time position for a helping professional. Since then, library social work has spread to over four dozen systems around the United States. This session will introduce library social work, its history, and emerging best practices. We will consider the library as a protective factor in the lives of vulnerable populations. Special attention will be paid to the need for person-centered, trauma-informed lenses into the university education of future librarians.
Speaker Information
Patrick Lloyd, LMSW
Patrick Lloyd, LMSW was the first public library social worker in Texas. He currently works as a Community Resilience Consultant for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Patrick is an adjunct professor at the University of Texas Steve Hicks School of Social Work and co-chairs the PLA Social Worker Task Force, created in 2019. Patrick has presented at ALA, PLA, and the Texas Chapter, National Association of Social Workers annual conferences and for information professionals around the country. He lives in Georgetown, TX with a grumpy beagle.
- Understand the role of social work in libraries and how it works to better support communities.
- Identify best practices for social work in public libraries.
- Outline the growing need for library social work programs and the need for person-centered training for current and future librarians.