Libraries as Centers of Inclusiveness and Support: What about New Haven?

[Lee Cruz]

The Organic Role of Libraries as Centers of Inclusiveness and Support

January 22, 2019;  Source: Next City

People may check out fewer books from libraries than they used to, but libraries have continued to grow as their role as community hubs deepens. Here at NPQ, we have profiled libraries that have become maker spaces, supported gardening, and rented out musical instruments. In some cities, librarians have been trained to administer Narcan to interrupt opioid overdoses. In Ferguson and in Baltimore, as those cities were in a state of unrest after the killings of Michael Brown and Freddie Gray, respectively, the libraries served as sanctuaries, remaining open to the community. They have, in some cases, even been affordable housing partners...

https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2019/01/24/the-organic-role-of-libra...

In New Haven:

Now in its sixth year, NHFPL continues its successful partnership with Liberty Community Services (LCS), offering one-on-one consultations for those with basic needs (jobs, food, shelter, and health and wellness issues). In 2018, LCS had 976 appointments and served 563 individuals (with 268 waitlisted). In the fall of 2018 the LCS and NHFPL forged a new partnership with SCSU’s graduate Social Work program, whereby trained graduate interns, (whose academic clinical experience is overseen by Community Services Administrator, Dr. Muley), carry out their field credit work at Ives Main Library. LCS’s library case managers are trained to use the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and are credentialed to conduct emergency Coordinated Access Network (CAN) assessments. NHFPL also received a National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) grant that allows it to expand LCS services to the Fair Haven and Wilson library branches, effective January 2019. The grant includes monies earmarked for books on health and wellness in English and Spanish. The NNLM recognizes public libraries as trusted sources of health and wellness information, such as the freely available MedlinePlus.gov web site among other quality resources. For more information contact John Jessen: [e-mail]

Source: City Librarian Martha Brogan.