• A visiting scholar from the University of North Carolina will deliver a free online lecture from Charles Sturt University about the role of social workers in libraries

Charles Sturt University will host a visiting scholar from the United States of America who will present a free public lecture highlighting the changing psychosocial needs of library patrons, and how social workers can support library staff.

Visiting scholar from the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, Professor Beth Wahler, will present the online lecture, ‘Why put a social worker in a library?’ on Monday 10 July from 10am to 11.30am.

The event highlights recent research on how changes in library patrons’ psychosocial needs can influence library practices and increase staff stress and trauma, prompting an increase in collaborations with social workers globally.

Senior Lecturer in the Charles Sturt University School of Information and Communication Studies, Dr Jane Garner, said the University was proud to be supporting the lecture and what it hoped to achieve.

“The Social Work in Libraries team are very pleased to host Professor Wahler during her time in Australia,” Dr Garner said.

“Employing social workers in libraries is a practice that is just developing in Australia, but is quite common in the US, so Beth’s visit gives us the opportunity to learn more about how this practice can benefit both library workers and visitors.”

The Social Work in Libraries Team are hosting Professor Wahler as part of the Future of the Professions Research Group, which includes a team focussing on the efforts of social workers in libraries.

Dr Garner encouraged anyone with an interest in the changing roles of public libraries within their communities to attend the free, online lecture.

“It will be of particular interest to public library workers, librarians, social service providers, and library students and academics,” she said.

“It will also be of interest to social work professionals, particularly those who have an interest in the delivery of social work practice in non-clinical settings.”

Examples of successful library and social work collaborations to address visitors' needs, support staff, and improve community capacity to address psychosocial needs will be shared as part of the free lecture.

While in Australia, Professor Wahler will work with the State Library of Victoria, The University of Melbourne, The Melbourne City Libraries, Merri-Bek Public Library, and the State Library of New South Wales, as well as travelling to Wagga Wagga to spend time with academic staff from the Charles Sturt School of Information and Communication Studies, and the School of Social Work and Arts.

Registrations to the live-streamed event are essential, and can be done through the Eventbrite website.

ENDS