You might think of the library as the place to go when you want to read a new bestseller. Or maybe you think of librarians when you’re trying to research a question. But for the past five years, social workers at the library have been connecting patrons to job applications, housing, food and bus passes.
The Indianapolis Public Library started its program to offer social work services in 2021, with one social worker at Central Library. Now the program has two social workers and interns who make the rounds to all 25 library branches four times a year. Those two social workers served 2,063 people in 2025.
They don’t offer therapy or extended case management services. But they will listen and try to connect you to services you need. Recently, someone needed transmission fluid, and Girton called around to find who could give some away.
“We always say there’s no stupid question. We can always try to see what we can find,” said Danielle Girton, who manages the social work program. “The worst is that we would say, ‘No,’ or ‘We don’t have that right now.’ But let us keep working.”
But most of the time, her job starts with listening. One Monday, a woman who was unhoused was talking to a cell phone provider who visits Central library each week. A security guard asked Girton to come talk to the woman.
“She was just kind of upset, feeling defeated,” Girton said. They sat and talked for 25 minutes. “Afterwards she was just like, ‘Thank you so much for just listening. Just to be treated with some dignity and respect, and to have someone listen to me — it just made my day.’”
Those moments are when Girton said she remembers why she decided to be a social worker. When she was in high school, one of her close friends was pregnant. She watched social workers in the guidance office reach out and help her.
“I think it’s a profession that social work kind of chooses you,” she said.
If you want to get help from the Library’s social workers, you can head to Central Library on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. to meet with Girton or social worker Jayme Murphy. Or, you can talk to any library staff member to set up an in-person appointment, a phone call or to start an email to ask for help.
The social workers go to different library branches each Tuesday and Thursday. On Mondays and Thursdays, the library invites other nonprofits and community groups — cell phone providers, food banks, Medicare representatives — to set up tables and talk to patrons.
Candace Baker, an outreach specialist for Gleaners Food Bank, is one of those people who sets up a table. She’s seen the way the library and these nonprofit partners can work together.
Two weeks ago, Baker overheard a 64-year-old woman at another vendor’s table asking about the difference between Medicare and Medicaid. Baker helped the woman apply for SNAP benefits and got her connected to the Gennesaret Free Clinic, which offers no-cost medical and dental care.
As the library’s social work program has grown, Baker said she’s seen more partnership and communication with people like her who can provide resources directly to patrons.
“If a neighbor comes in and you know Jayme is there, of course she can help them with everything,” Baker said. “But she knows that we’re partners and that’s what we specifically do. That opens up a door for her to be able to help a neighbor that may need help with something else.”
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations. Sign up for our free newsletters.
Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
