This month ACLA Community Support Services is highlighting the work of our featured Fellows, Ariana and Jillian. Ariana has spent the 2024/2025 school year serving the patrons of Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale. Her most recent project, a 5 session Mindfulness and Coping workshop will explore creative ways to implement mindfulness practices and elicit more positive health outcomes while also working to manage daily and long-term stressors in positive ways. For more information or to register visit https://swissvalelibrary.org. Jillian is wrapping up her year at Monroeville Public Library by hosting a weekly coffee and conversation space. Sips Club is a Tuesday morning sip and chat, with coffee and tea provided. No registration is necessary to participate in this event and more information is available at https://monroevillelibrary.org
–Katrina Mink, BSW/MSW, Social Work in Libraries Program Coordinator
Ariana Henderson, Carnegie Free Library of Swissvale
What was your educational and work background prior to your placement?
I recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh this past April with a BS in Applied Developmental Psychology as well as a Social Work minor and Civic Learning Distinction. During that time, I had the opportunity to work with various organizations in Pittsburgh, including Strong Women Strong Girls, Urban Impact, Pittsburgh Public Schools, and Youth Enrichment Services. In all of these spaces, I worked with adolescents and communities in educational contexts.
What unique outside experiences, personal background or special skills do you feel have prepared you for this placement?
Working with many different kinds of people, communities, and organizations has provided me with the capacity to adapt quickly to new environments and understand the strengths and weaknesses of each new area. This has been especially relevant to my placement at the Swissvale Library as I have been able to identify, through community input, ways in which the library can improve and continue to benefit its constituents.
Why did you choose the Library Social Work Fellowship?
I have also been fond of libraries. Growing up, I was one of those kids that could read dozens of books every summer for fun. I always looked forward to my many trips to the library. Additionally, I was curious about the concept of library social work since it is something I was not yet familiar with. Both of these interests led me to apply to the fellowship.
How can social workers help libraries serve their communities?
More of social workers’ training is specifically dedicated to advocating for and helping to support community members. On the other hand, librarians can sometimes be more focused on the logistics that go into running a library (i.e., renting out books and creating programs). Social workers can help libraries refocus more on the humanitarian nature of their work and those they serve, as well as their positionality as a free resource for anyone in need of its services.
Additional comments
Come visit the Swissvale Library!
Jillian Hinkle, Monroeville Public Library
What was your educational and work background prior to your placement?
Before I started working at the Monroeville library and working towards my MSW I was actually just a girl with a Bachelors in Mass Communication and Public Relations, which is very much not social work.
What unique outside experiences, personal background or special skills do you feel have prepared you for this placement?
My mom raised me to be a very compassionate person, and I always do my best to be welcoming and kind to everyone I meet. I know what it’s like to not feel seen, and I don’t want anyone to feel that way when I have the opportunity to brighten their day.
Why did you choose the Library Social Work Fellowship?
I’ve always loved reading! And as we say in the fellowship, a library is one of the few places left where no one expects anything from you, and you can just exist in the solitude of the shelves.
How can social workers help libraries serve their communities?
Libraries are great community hubs that offer a lot of resources that folks are often not even aware of. Having a social worker in a community library allows for immediate help with things that librarians cannot help with. I find that my intuition (aka needing to stand up from my desk) brings me to the right patrons at the very right moment, and I’ve spoken to a lot of folks coincidentally that needed me and didn’t know there was someone at the library who could help them! My role also allows me to spread awareness about the services that are available to folks and where they can find them.
