Whole person librarianship A social work approach to patron services

Review by Choice Review

Zettervall and Nienow offer a practical, hands-on guide to building collaborations between social workers and librarians. The authors have had experience building partnerships of their own, and Zettervall is the founder of Whole Person Librarianship, an organization that trains librarians in concepts important to this goal. This book is a great introduction for librarians hoping to develop or further social services support in their libraries. Each of the six chapters is practical and direct, providing best practices, case studies, and links to further resources. Including six appendixes, one of which provides worksheets and checklists, the book is best suited to practicing professionals at public libraries, but academic librarians--particularly those at community colleges--may also find the book valuable. Summing Up: Recommended. Professional and practicing librarians. --Kristy M Borda, William & Mary Libraries

Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.

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Review by Booklist Review

The concept of ""whole person librarianship"" (WPL) grew out of the serve the whole person model of social work, giving extra attention to vulnerable groups, those often oppressed because of their race, religion, gender, or economic status. Six information-packed chapters, with titles such as ""Partners in the Library,"" ""Full-Time Library Social Workers,"" and ""Advocating for Change,"" guide readers ""from a basic understanding of the intersection of librarianship and social work through various stages of collaboration and into more complex social work concepts as they can apply to library service. Following an introductory case study, each chapter offers a tremendous amount of practical explanation, advice, and suggestions. Appendixes provide worksheets for community-needs assessments, contracts, intake forms, and staff surveys, with a link to additional resources. Authors Zettervall, a library-science student working on a practicum for a book club with Somali girls, and Nienow, an academic, field worker, and policy developer with decades of social-work experience, have done a wonderful job of artfully blending librarianship and social work into a very solid and promising new enterprise. Whole Person Librarianship is a relevant, skillfully crafted, refreshingly optimistic, and highly recommended read.--Art Lichtenstein Copyright 2020 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Library Journal Review

While working on her practicum in 2012, Zettervall asked her friend Nienow, a social worker, to help her lead a book club with a group of Somali girls who had endured hardship because of civil war; the collaboration resulted in this book. The authors describe librarianship and social work as sister professions. Both professions began in the United States in the late 1800s during the progressive era and were staffed primarily by women (excluding leadership positions, which were typically held by men). This holds true in modern times; women still make up a majority of workers in these professions. The professions both prioritize service and respect for privacy and human rights. Zettervall and Nienow demonstrate how collaboration between librarians and social workers benefits communities. They offer relevant examples and, in the appendixes, information on doing a community needs assessment, along with other suggestions. VERDICT This is a well-researched and practical guide recommended for those in the library and social worker professions.--Dave Pugl, Ela Area P.L., Lake Zurich, IL

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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