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Whole Person Librarianship: Relationships Are the New Reference Collection In-Person

Whole Person Librarianship: Relationships Are the New Reference Collection

In a country that seems to grow more divided by the day, libraries are one of the few places to bring together people from all walks of life. People experiencing homelessness, immigrants and refugees, survivors of cultural and personal violence, children with unsafe home lives, students living in poverty while seeking a degree – these patrons all use our buildings alongside those who have more stable circumstances. How can we foster understanding and a sense of belonging when we’re all sharing the same space? Social workers learn how to structure their approach to foster empathy-based service while being mindful of boundaries. We as librarians can strengthen our ability to provide excellent public service by following their example. 

This session introduces the Whole Person Librarianship approach, which combines practical partnerships with concepts that can be applied to libraries regardless of a social work presence. We will explore the foundations of a relationship-based reference collection; practice understanding patrons through person-in-environment and cultural humility; and discuss the importance of reflective practice for sustainable service. The session will include topic overview talks, individual reflection, and group conversations.

About the Presenter
Sara Zettervall is the founding consultant for Whole Person Librarianship, which applies social work concepts to library practice. She currently works at Hennepin County Library as the community engagement librarian for East African refugees in Minneapolis. Her experience includes leading innovative projects in public, academic, and school libraries and archives. She was the 2017 winner of the Bogle Pratt International Travel Fund, in support of presenting on library-social work collaboration at the Symposium of the International Consortium for Social Development in Zagreb, Croatia. A 2014 American Library Association Emerging Leader, Sara has continued to serve ALA through involvement in the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Recommendations Implementation Working Group. Her book, Whole Person Librarianship: A Social Work Approach to Patron Services (coauthored with social work professor Mary Nienow), is scheduled for publication in mid-2019. She holds an MLIS from St. Catherine University (St. Paul, MN) and a MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan.   

This event will be held in two locations: 

2/26 JD Evans Community Room - Steele Memorial Library, 119 W Main St, Mt Olive, NC 28365

2/28 Nussbaum Room - The Central Library, 219 North Church St, Greensboro, NC 

*We are no longer allowed to provide lunches or snacks at workshops, so please bring with you any snacks or liquids you will need during the workshop.

Date:
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Time:
9:00am - 1:00pm
Time Zone:
Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
Location:
Greensboro - Greensboro Public Library, Central Library
Categories:
  In person     Public Services     State Library of North Carolina  
Registration has closed.

Event Organizer

Profile photo of Lauren Clossey
Lauren Clossey

State Library of North Carolina
Continuing Education Consultant
Phone: 919-814-6791
E-mail: lauren.clossey@dncr.nc.gov