13 hours ago
Perth library trials social worker program to help people in need
Libraries have always been sanctuaries.
They're cool in summer, warm and dry in winter, have free wi-fi, comfortable seats and plenty of entertainment.
But when librarians at Success library in Perth's south noticed a teenage girl spending long hours in the library each day, they wanted to help.
"Librarians are very passionate about helping people," Cockburn Libraries adult services coordinator Deb Rigby said.
"She wasn't at school and she didn't want to be at home because she was suffering from domestic and family violence and she didn't want to leave when the library was closing."
Ms Rigby said the cost of living crisis had also brought more people to the library in search of free resources and internet, entertainment and to connect with community.
"Librarians and library staff realised that a lot of people had unmet support needs and all they needed was some help in finding the right services and support for their needs," Ms Rigby said.
"And they felt that they didn't perhaps have the training needed."
The idea for a pilot project was formed.
Ms Rigby said it was common for libraries in the US and UK to have social workers stationed in the library.
But without funding, they had to think outside the box.
With support from Cockburn Integrated Health and Communicare, two students from Curtin University have set up a desk in the library.
It's tucked just inside the entrance and is staffed by the students a couple of days a week.
Social work students Jenara Lane and Amber Proudfoot said they had so far been able to help dozens of people.
"It's a drop in style service," Ms Lane said. "It's accessible to everybody, anybody who uses the library space can come in just have a chat with us, they might be looking for resources, they might need a support service perhaps and be looking for a referral.
She said people saw libraries as safe spaces.
"It is one of the few spaces left where you can go and feel comfortable and not feel obliged to purchase anything."
Ms Proudfoot said similar programs had started in South Australia, Fremantle and Melbourne.
"A lot of these supports are set up in a very clinical setting and that can be quite daunting for people to go into, whereas in the library setting everyone is accepted, it's a very culturally safe space for people to attend, it's free, it's warm, it's inviting," she said.
The students have access to a quiet room, where they can go with a client to have a confidential chat.
Success Library hopes to keep the program running, but libraries are already struggling with funding.
WA Local Government Association (WALGA) president Karen Chappel said public libraries promoted social cohesion and wellbeing.
"The shift in community expectations and needs is placing pressure on our public libraries, and while the services have changed, funding has not," Ms Chappel said.
WALGA wants the state government to provide an extra $30million over four years to restore library funding to pre-2013 levels.
"The State Government provides support for public libraries through the provision of funds for library resources, however this is out of step with the needs of modern libraries and is falling behind what is required," Ms Chappel said.
Deb Rigby said the service was a natural extension of what the library already offered.
"I think that it could be a model for other local governments to adopt," Ms Rigby said.
