Marie Mathieu, a social worker at the Cambridge Public Library, shared a heartwarming story of receiving a thank-you call from a 4-year-old child whom she had assisted in getting into child care. "Getting that kind of a call from a 4-year-old who was just trying to go to school and learn was really, really heartwarming," she stated, highlighting the significant impact social workers can have even on the youngest members of the community.
Cambridge Public Library Director Maria McCauley explained their decision to hire a social worker, stating, "We were concerned about a lack of equitable access to social work services among patrons, and at the same time, we were noticing that we needed to have more attention and care for people who need that high level of assistance," emphasizing the library's commitment to support its community.
Rebekah Gewirtz, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers, noted the increasing demand for social workers in libraries, explaining that "libraries are starting to see the value of having a social worker there to support people in need," particularly as social issues have become more acute post-pandemic.
Michelle Eberle, emphasizing the library's role in the community, stated that libraries serve as 'a safe haven for the underserved' and often are the 'only free space that welcomes everyone in the community,' thereby reinforcing their importance as social support hubs.
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