Additional Resources for Library Staff
Trauma-Informed Librarianship
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Infographic- Trauma Meets the Library
This infographic includes information about how trauma impacts library patrons and staff and lists the principles of trauma-informed organizations.
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Infographic- Trauma-Informed Libraries
This infographic describes actions taken by trauma-informed libraries to support their employees and their patrons/customers.
Library/Social Work Collaborations
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Library Task Supervisor Handbook for the NJ Social Work-Informed Library Services Project
This handbook was initially created for the NJ Social Work-Informed Library Services Project but is applicable to library staff everywhere who are supervising social work interns for the first time.
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Social Work Student Intern Handbook for the NJ Social Work-Informed Library Services Project
This handbook was initially created for social work students participating in the 2023-2024 pilot year of the NJ Social Work-Informed Library Services Project, but is applicable to library-based social work students everywhere to provide guidance and support for their library practicum.
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Toolkit- Guidance for Hosting a Social Work Practicum Student in Your Library
This toolkit includes guidelines for libraries wanting to host a social work student for the first time. Resources include intern job descriptions, sample interview questions, and suggested orientation materials.
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Toolkit- Measuring the Impact of a Social Work Practicum Student
This toolkit includes information about measuring the impact of a library-based social work student. Resources include directions for constructing your own logic model and multiple types of assessment tools.
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Social Work in the Library- Micro, Mezzo, and Macro Practice Activities
This infographic lists the various types of library-based activities performed by social workers, including activities at the micro (individual), mezzo (group), and macro (organizational and community) levels.
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So You Want to Host a Social Work Student?
This infographic provides a one-page list of activities required to host a library-based social work student.
Links to additional resources for library staff self-care and well-being:
University at Buffalo School of Social Work's Self-Care Starter Kit
Self-Care for Library Workers- Califa.org
State Library of Oregon's Continuing Education Resources for Library Staff on Self-Care
Activities to help regulate our nervous systems in or after a high-stress situation:
Deep/belly breathing, square breathing, and other breathing exercises
Practice a pause
Sensory breaks/brain breaks
Music/singing
Stretching/yoga/short walks
Guided meditation/mindfulness/visualization/progressive relaxation
Positive self-talk (“This isn’t about me,” “I’m doing the best I can,” “I can handle this”)
Resources for implementing staff support groups or reflective practice groups:
A Trauma-Informed Framework for Supporting Patrons: The PLA Workbook of Best Practices (2022) by the PLA Social Worker Task Force
The Reflective Practice Guide: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Critical Reflection (2023) by Barbara Bassot
Information on Starting Reflective Practice Exercises in Your Library (includes strategies for helping create space for staff to discuss the emotional labor of the work)
Other Helpful Websites
Whole Person Librarianship- website, map, and email community of practice maintained by Sara Zettervall for anyone interested in library and social service-related programs/services
Library Social Work- podcast and resources by Sarah Johnson
Cultivating the Relationship-Driven Library: A Toolkit- created by Dr. Noah Lenstra