Things to Consider

A new trend that is emerging is a dual masters degree in Library Science and Social Work. According to Dominican University, " Social work and librarianship are converging, as mission-driven professionals in both fields work together to connect people with resources and services. " They are one of the first university's to offer this degree. You can find out more about the program here. 

In order to prepare our future librarians for the workforce that preparation should come from the execution of relevant course work while they are pursuing their degree. As a profession we need encourage institutions to not only provide these graduates with the technical skills they need but the customer service skills, emotional intelligence skills, the awareness of how to support all types of patrons. 

See the link here to discover which New York MSLIS programs are offering courses that support some of the skills mentioned in this guide that are vital to the profession. 

Policy review is extremely important. Have you ever looked at your library policy's with the lens of ease of access, equity and inclusion? If not, we recommend that you being that process. By conducting these reviews and possibly making revisions to your policies, its very possible that you will be creating an improved library experience for both your staff and your community. 

Many people in your community might consider your library as a home away from home. With that comes the need to consider what type of environment you have at your library. The library has also be dubbed "the third space." The idea behind this concept is everyone has their work/school space, their home space and "the third space" where we seek conversation, neutral ground, and comfort in feeling connected. There are many articles and resources available that can offer some guidance on how to ensure you are that third space for your community. We recommend that libraries consider this concept and take a deep dive into their library environment and consider if there are adjustments they can make to their library to enhance their space.