View Project

G2S Project Code: 2019-FL-83343
State: Florida
Fiscal Year: 2019
Grantee
Southeast Florida Library Information Network

Project Director
Director Name: Jennifer Pratt
Director Phone: 561.208.0984
Director Email: pratt@seflin.org
General Information
Title: Social Work Interns in Public Libraries
State Project Code: 19-LSTA-B-10
Start Date: 10/01/2018
End Date: 09/30/2020
Abstract: SEFLIN partnered with the School of Social Work at Florida International University to develop a Masters of Social Work Intern program that placed two graduate students and a Licensed Social Worker in the Miami Dade Public Library. Training for staff was developed and provided by SEFLIN, working with the community partners and the Field Instructor.  This program development addressed staff concerns regarding dealing with situations and patrons with special needs. 

This project was a pilot project to explore the role of social workers in a public library.  It provided library staff in Southeast Florida libraries with training, support and the resources needed to manage their patrons’ social service needs.  It allowed library staff to connect library patrons who need help coping with social services issues such as homelessness, mental illness and hunger, with resources and trained professionals.  This initiative formed partnerships between libraries, social work schools and community agencies; gathered and provided resources; and identified the best ways to handle patrons’ social service needs. It embedded two Masters of Social Work students as interns within the Miami-Dade Public Library System during the Spring 2020 semester.  These interns worked under the direct supervision of a Licensed Social Worker who directed their work, consulted with them and oversaw their work in the libraries.  Interns and the Field Instructor also worked with the library staff to develop partnerships with other community social agencies and developed an information and referral resource guide for social services in the SEFLIN region.

LSTA funds for this project allowed a Licensed Field Instructor to plan in advance the services and programs the interns provided during the Spring Semester (Jan -May).  Funds to continue the work of the field instructor to supervise the interns during their Spring and Summer semester was provided with different funds. The remaining funds were used to contract with trainers to provide training for library staff in the region on identified topics.


State Goal: Goal 2 - Strengthen Libraries: Floridians use libraries with staff, resources and facilities that transform to meet user needs.
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$7,500.00
$0.00
$0.00
$7,500.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Outreach & Partnerships
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Field Instructor for Social work Interns
Narrative: LSTA funds for this project provided a Licensed Field Instructor who worked with SEFLIN, Florida International University, and the Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) to  plan the services and programs the interns would provide during the Spring Semester (January - May).  SEFLIN contracted with a Licensed Social Worker to consult with the MDPLS for eight (8) weeks prior to the start of the semester to determine where and when the interns would be in the library and in what locations. This provided adequate time to plan the program, the scope of their work, and how it would be reported for the library and the school. This instructor also helped SEFLIN determine the best resources and plan training for staff.

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Planning & Evaluation
Mode: Prospective
Format: Third party


Quantity
Number of evaluations and/or plans funded: 1
Number of funded evaluation and/or plans completed: 1


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: MIAMI-DADE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
Address: 101 WEST FLAGLER STREET
City: MIAMI
State: FL
Zip: 33130
Activity Details
Title: Library Staff Training
Narrative: SEFLIN contracted with instructors to provide continuing education training events for library staff. Training for staff was developed and provided by SEFLIN, working with the community partners and the Social Work Schools.  This program development addressed staff concerns regarding dealing with situations and patrons with special needs
Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Combined in-person & virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 90
Number of presentations/performances administered: 8
Average number in attendance per session: 30


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: Yes
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 35
Academic Libraries: 10
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 1
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 1
Other: 4
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The planning time before the interns began was very important and started the program off on the right foot. The workshops were well attended and well received. There is a great demand for this type of training for library staff.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
We used the information we gathered during this pilot to plan for the next year's program.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
There is a great need for social workers in public libraries and this is a wonderful training ground for interns.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: