Library social work program requires professional evaluation

Join Indy Documenters:

Indy Documenters trains and pays neighbors to attend local, public government meetings and take notes or live tweet. We're creating a new public record in Indianapolis, and we want you to be a part of it.

Questions? Email documenters@mirrorindy.org.

What happened

The Indianapolis Public Library’s first, and only social worker, Yanna McGraw, requested a professional evaluation of the Social Work Services program before hiring more staff.

In a tearful delivery, McGraw said that she was concerned about bringing another staff member on board.

“There are a lot of social workers and libraries in crisis. There’s a website, Whole Person Librarianship, and that’s where I got all (of) my knowledge,” she said. “I meet with a group of social workers every other week. They have the same things that we have in IndyPL.”

McGraw said Kansas City has five social workers and eight branches. She is the only social worker with over 20 library branches in her work load.

The Indianapolis Public Library social work program offers resources in areas like temporary shelter or rental assistance information, literacy help, veterans benefits, survivor resources, food pantry referral, eviction and legal aid help, and more.

McGraw said, “30% of our time is addressing housing, 22% has been on health and a percent of our time is addressing basic needs and connecting to community resources.”

“I want you to know that this has not been easy,” she said.

Takeaway

The request for an evaluation came after a second social worker was hired without direction or support.

“This system hired a social worker without any guidance or support. When I was told that we were approved for another social worker, I was excited, but immediately became concerned about bringing another person on,” she said.

The social work program also facilitates dialogue on social work-related topics through coffee and conversation. Mental Health First Aid and Adverse Childhood Experiences training is also provided to ensure library staff use a trauma-informed approach when interacting with patrons.

McGraw said she wants library staff to call her for assistance when de-escalating incidents with library patrons.

“Often by the time I’m called, it’s gone too far,” she said.

The final report for the week-long evaluation will be completed at the end of March.

Board member Tribble asked, “So, the most critical need would be more social workers?” McGraw said she wasn’t ready to give a definitive answer.

Summary

The Indianapolis Library Board of Trustees reviews the social work program, evaluation details, and next steps.

What’s Next?

The next Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees meeting will be held on March 25, 6:30 p.m. at the Lawrence branch.

This brief is adapted from notes taken by Documenter Sarah Herrera, who covered the February Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees meeting. Read more about what happened here.

Want to join Documenters? Learn more here.