Colorado: “Denver Public Library’s New On-Site Social Worker Settling Into Job”
From The Denver Post:
Elissa Hardy wasn’t used to being the only social worker in the room, let alone in a whole organization.
But Hardy, the newly appointed community resource specialist at the Denver Public Library, is already making an impact in a way that’s helping many library patrons and also her coworkers.
The Denver Public Library funded Hardy’s job for two years starting in 2015 and she started work in late February as one of just a few social workers based in a public library system in North America. Hardy works at the central branch of Denver Public Library, 10 W. 14th Ave. Parkway but can head to any of the 25 branches if needed.
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According to Simone Groene-Nieto, a librarian at the community technology center on the fourth floor of the central branch, Hardy has been a huge asset to staff in the computer labs. Often times low-income people come to the library to use a computer and ask questions about receiving assistance. With Hardy’s experience, she can now help them not only find services, but also recommend one over another.
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See Also: Edmonton Public Library Extends Outreach Workers Project (March 2014)
See Also: Texas: Dallas Public Library Begins “Coffee and Conversation” Discussions that Cater to Homeless People (December 2013)
See Also: Tucson: “More Than Just Books: Arizona Libraries Add Public Health Nurses” (March 2013)
Filed under: Jobs, Libraries, Patrons and Users, Public Libraries, Resources
About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.