Creating a Person-Centered Library: Best Practices for Supporting High-Needs Patrons

by Elizabeth A Wahler, Sarah C. Johnson

Public libraries are struggling to address growing numbers of high-need patrons experiencing homelessness, food insecurity, mental health problems, substance abuse, and poverty-related needs. Creating a Person-Centered Library will help librarians build or contribute to library services that will best address patrons' psychosocial needs. The authors, experienced in both library and social work, begin by providing an overview of patrons' psychosocial needs, structural and societal reasons for the shift in these needs, and how these changes impact libraries and library staff. Chapters focus on best practices for libraries providing person-centered services and share lessons learned, including information about special considerations for certain patron populations that might be served by individual libraries. The book concludes with information about how library organizations can support public library staff. Librarians and library students who are concerned about both patrons and library staff will find the practical advice in this book invaluable.

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published September 28, 2023

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most challenging things I think that public libraries are facing nowadays are our high-needs patrons.

How can we do so much to serve this population?
Elizabeth A. Wahler explains the many facets of what the book calls "high needs".
While most libraries do not have the luxury of throwing around tons of money to provide spaces, services, programs, outreach, marketing, and other funds to ALL demographics, there are ways that they can even do a small part.
I'm getting ahead of myself.
She first addresses the many trying things that may be affecting people: mental health, physical health, substance abuse, alcoholism, homelessness, abuse, troubled home life, sexuality, monetary troubles, racism, immigration, employment, gender identity, age, memory loss, among many many more.

The demographics mentioned include our Adolescent/Teen demographic, non-English speakers, immigrants/migrants, senior citizens, gender-diverse peoples, justice-involved patrons, unhoused patrons, and more, regardless of library's size or location.

"Success comes when...library workers...see the potential of library participation in health-supporting systems....libraries cannot do (this) by themselves. Librarianship is not a solo enterprise, but a collective enterprise." Noah Lenstra

What sort of challenges, programs, services, partnerships, outreach, understanding, and further education can a library do to help the growing challenges of "high-needs" patrons? Read this book for a start.
There are a lot of great ideas, statistics, and suggestions for how best to serve the population.
The library is not only a place of information. The library is (and always will be) the supporting backbone of its community. This book will help you prove that to your administration and community and inspire you to provide resources for your community.

[Karen Shilvock-Cinefro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libraries are wonderful places, especially when there are patient and caring librarians.
There are many suggestions conveyed in this book about dealing with ‘high need’ patrons but many can be useful to all patrons. Places like libraries can and should become community centered places where all can find support. An example is one library mentioned in the book utilizes the help of a social worker.
Funding is always a stumbling block but can be overcome with a creative library staff, seeking volunteers and community support.

[Rowan]

really excellent book that actually shows trauma informed care in practice in a library setting. if your org is looking that direction, definitely pick this up.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a helpful book to read, looking at mostly big picture strategies. The ideas in this, combined with customer service training could be helpful for libraries.