State Library Receives Important Grant

To Further Social Work in Iowa Libraries Project

State Library of Iowa was recently awarded a grant of $246,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as part of the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program. The grant will be used for our agency’s efforts to support the psychosocial needs of Iowa library staff and patrons.

“This grant will have far reaching impact, both within Iowa and beyond. It will allow us to continue critical projects to support social work efforts for library patrons and the staff that serve them,” said State Librarian Michael Scott. “Libraries continue to be one of the first places Iowans turn to for assistance with community needs beyond library services.”

A multi-year project will implement recommendations from a needs assessment conducted by Dr. Beth Wahler and will culminate in the development of a toolkit to be made available to other states wishing to create similar programs. This grant project includes:

Developing specialized training programs for library directors and staff to gain essential skills for serving patrons with psychosocial needs and for building successful collaborations with social service providers

Offering free Mental Health First Aid training to library staff statewide

Contracting with a licensed social worker to facilitate a mental health support group pilot program for library directors and staff

Expanding professional development collection materials for librarians on mental health and related topics

About the Social Work in Iowa Libraries Program

The Social Work in Iowa Libraries program was launched by the State Library in 2022 to explore opportunities to help more libraries offer psychosocial resources to their patrons and support the unique challenges that library staff face. The pandemic further highlighted the important role libraries and librarians play in their community.

About the Laura Bush Librarian Grant Program

This program supports the training and professional development of library and archives professionals; develops faculty and information leaders; supports recruiting, educating, and retaining the next generation of library and archives professionals in order to develop a diverse library and archival workforce to meet the information needs of their communities.

Read More About Social Work in Iowa Libraries

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