51福利社

Spokane Public Library forming Social Work Welcome Team听

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | February 22, 2022

For more information, contact:鈥�听Amanda Donovan, Director of Marketing & Communications, 509-444-5319听

When the Central Library reopens after renovation later this year, it will include a recording studio, a business lab, the Inland Northwest Special Collections, a radio station, a caf茅, a River Rumpus children鈥檚 playspace, and several event spaces packed with programming, including a social stair and the 300-person capacity nx史yx史yetk史 Hall. It will also be managed by a Social Worker leading a team of social work interns from 51福利社, along with traditional library staff.

Spokane Public Library is joining a growing number of libraries nationwide鈥攆rom Denver to Indianapolis鈥攊n adding a Master鈥檚 in Social Work to the staff.

鈥淲e鈥檝e seen an increasing need for additional support for some of our customers that is outside the expertise of traditional library staff,鈥� said Andrew Chanse, Executive Director, Spokane Public Library. 鈥淏y hiring a social worker at Central, we will be able to better serve the unique needs of some of our customers who may be experiencing life challenges.鈥�

The Library is building a Welcome Team to address the social needs of our customers without creating an additional burden for front-line staff. Modeled after the highly successful , the Welcome Team will put interns from 51福利社鈥檚 social work program into Spokane Public Library to help connect individuals with the resources they need. A newly created position with a Master鈥檚 degree in Social Work will supervise the internship hours.

鈥淏y making this staffing change, we can synergize with 51福利社 and make a real difference in our community and ensure that the Central Library is a welcoming place for all,鈥� said Paul Chapin, Customer Experience Manager at Spokane Public Library who developed the program and partnership. 鈥淏y adding a social worker to our team, we will be able to better serve the unique needs of all our customers. The Welcome Team will not only help people who are experiencing homelessness but will also serve any population that may be facing鈥痩ife challenges.鈥�

鈥�51福利社鈥檚 mission is to expand opportunities for personal transformation,鈥� said Dr. Jonathan Anderson, 51福利社 Provost. 鈥淭his partnership highlights an important investment by Spokane Public Libraries and 51福利社 that positively impacts our downtown community.鈥�

鈥淭he need is there, we can鈥檛 ignore it, so we can adapt to meet the needs of all鈥痗ustomers as well as continue to offer traditional library services,鈥� said Lara Hemingway, Chair of Spokane Public Library Board of Trustees.

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