10

10 GROUNDCOVER NEWS LIBRARIES A library of support MARIE Groundcover contributor Over the past few years I have traveled the country, and while doing so visited several libraries. During my travels, I have experienced library staff attempting to restrict my library use and staff treating people in the library differently based on background. One library, located in a small town along the northern bank of Lake Huron, upset me so much I painted a sign that said “solid rights protest” and began wearing it around my neck while in the library. When the head librarian returned after a week of being out due to illness, I was surprised to be reunited with a family friend of nearly three decades. For about a month, the librarian and I often enjoyed at least one allergen-friendly meal together a day, while I participated in library activities, was introduced to library patrons, combed through books in an extensive art collection and painted. Sometimes I opted to paint inside and sometimes I sat outside under the gazebo erected in a small park across from the log cabin style library. When the library was closed I enjoyed the nearby nature trails, watched the comedy of the season’s water fowl and attempted to identify different foliage. Experiencing discrimination and prejudice in this small yet beautiful library sent me on a mission to continue visiting libraries while traveling, and to better understand the experience of unconstitutional barriers to equitable access to library resources. In the process, I discovered that Ypsilanti District Library (YDL) was the first library in Michigan to have a full-time licensed social worker on staff. Unlike most libraries, YDL is working to eliminate or at least decrease access barriers to resources, especially for underserved populations such as the homeless, housing-insecure, elderly, those living in poverty, formerly incarcerated patrons, those experiencing an emergent need or those experiencing a crisis. Library social work programs may be thought of as an extension of more traditional resource access. Unlike traditional library staff, a library social worker is an extension of the library. They are resource experts with specialized training to help with a trauma-informed, culturally-responsive approach that often extends beyond the walls of the physical library. YDL’s Library Care Coordination (social work) Program began assisting patrons in January 2025, at YDL’s Superior branch, with a few EMU social work interns, under the guidance of EMU professors. The social work program at YDL began operating with funding secured for three years, each year contingent on approval, through the Washtenaw County Community Mental Health’s portion of the Public Safety and Mental Health Preservation Millage. By April 2025, their first full-time, licensed clinical social worker, Kat Layton, had been hired, and was available when the Michigan Avenue branch reopened after lengthy renovations. Services are available at all three branches of the YDL, however the Michigan Avenue branch presents with a higher need and demand. YDL’s LCC program recently entered its second year of the three-year grant. The American Library Association has a code of ethics and a Library Bill of Rights, to help guide making informed decisions and drive professional improvements “in this changing information environment.” YDL recognized that many libraries have policies that limit library access especially for marginalized populations such as the homeless. One example is requiring a qualifying address, or excluding specific addresses known to belong to agencies that serve the homeless such as the Delonis Center. Some libraries such as those at the University of Michigan Undergraduate library and the Duderstadt offer 24-hour access, which can only be officially accessed by MCard (U-M identification card) holders. Numerous Washtenaw County residents have complained about U-M library staff profiling, accosting, assaulting, looking through belongings and trespassing patrons who are using the library as intended during operational hours. Therefore, it appears U-M and other libraries are regularly violating patrons’ constitutional rights to safely and equitably access publicly funded library resources. YDL is reported to have trespassed or limited access for some patrons; however, according to YDL patrons and staff, these restrictions are often related to violence or drug use while on library premises. Fair access to library resources may benefit from federal intervention, similar to formal mandates to desegregate libraries during the 1960s. YDL is not the first library in the country to introduce social work. The move is modeled after successful efforts including San Francisco, Utah, Minnesota, and New York. San Francisco, in 2009, was the first library in the country to have a full-time social worker. One library system in Arizona opted for a nurse who could address physical health needs on-site and facilitate access to medical care. According to EMU interns for the 2025-2026 school year, other libraries in Michigan have recently started similar social work YDL's Eastern Michigan University social work interns for 2025-26 school year, Ashley and DesaRay, during a resource fair at YDL. programs, including Plymouth, Monroe and Grosse Pointe. Ryan Dowd, a well-known shelter director and advocate for serving homeless patrons from the Chicago area, stated, “Staff at public libraries interact with almost as many homeless individuals as staff at shelters do.” Several published resources, local library staff and patrons recognize and value how important libraries are for accessing resources, obtaining guidance, and seeking shelter from the elements. YDL staff across all of its branches expressed positive feedback related to training developed by Ryan Dowd and from hiring professionals with expertise related to de-escalation, trauma debriefing after traumatic experiences, mental health, and substance use. Library staff feel that, with the addition of social workers, clerks and librarians are better able to manage the expectations of their more traditional assigned roles, while the social workers are better equipped to identify needs, eliminate barriers and link patrons with community resources best suited to those needs before they escalate. More than a year into its inception the LCC program has grown from a few interns compiling paper resources a few hours a week at the Superior branch. At this time, the library now has a resource table and a white board that is updated weekly, and has transitioned from scheduled appointments to include regularly scheduled drop-in times. A major accomplishment in 2026 was the addition of an interactive online resource list on the YDL website, so physically obtaining paper resources during library hours is no longer necessary. Since January 2025, the LCC program - grew from a few patron contacts at one branch, to over 1300 documented interactions across multiple branches, according to the last quarterly grant report. These documented interactions, however, are known as not fully representative of the true number as numerous contacts are under-documented. At the end of March, EMU was still waiting for Institutional Review Board approval for its formal evaluation process. However, the YDL community speaks highly of program growth and meaningful impact for all patrons. Services currently available include, but are not limited to, quick access to a hygiene drawer, housing advocacy for both the unhoused or housing-insecure, meals, clothing and obtaining identification from the Secretary of State. During the first year of the LCC, YDL became a Fare Deal Authorized Agency through AATA; expanded resource fairs; and continues to build its partnerships with local organizations. Layton explained, “Coordinated events and bringing outside partners into the library meet people where they are at.” Social workers, clerks and librarians expressed they are grateful to have supports in place to better serve patrons in a deliberate and meaningful way in the community instead of being limited to confines of the library. Older patrons have benefited with help navigating discrimination related to housing, as well as questions related to obtaining and maintaining healthcare. Homeless patrons or those living in poverty have been assisted with transportation, phones and paperwork. Patrons who were not born in the United States have been assisted with obtaining replacement documents, addressing language barriers and obtaining immigration paperwork. They can feel better knowing the community is willing to support them as evidenced by the response to a recent ICE raid across the street from the downtown YDL branch. During the April raid, ICE agents stopped traffic, and ICE whistles were reportedly heard being blown across several city blocks. One patron, who is a homeless young adult, stated, “Most of the resources we already know about. The difference is that Kat doesn’t just give you the piece of paper for you to figure it out. Kat gives you step-by-step instructions, and see LIBRARY next page  MAY 1, 2026

11 Publizr Home