March 1 – 31, 2023
Hoboken Public Library invites you to celebrate National Social Work Month! The theme for 2023 is Breaking Down Barriers.
For a complete list of all National Social Work Month events happening at HPL, please click here.
Visit our *new* Community Corner on the first floor of the Library to learn more about our social work services, pick up a free Community Care Kit, and find out about our community partners!
What is Social Work?
Social work can be difficult to understand because the profession is so diverse. Social workers work in many different places, including schools, hospitals, mental health practices, veteran centers, child welfare agencies, the criminal justice system, corporations, and state, federal and local governments—to name a few.
Although there are many kinds of social work, members of the profession all share common principles: They are people dedicated to seeking complete equality and social justice for all communities and helping people achieve their own potential.
Each day social workers help break down barriers that prevent people from living more fulfilling, enriched lives. They work on the individual level, helping people overcome personal crises like food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, or limited access to good health care. They also advocate on a systems level to ensure laws and policies are adopted so everyone can access such services.
Works Cited: socialworkers.org
Links/Organizations
- National Association of Social Workers – Founded in 1955, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world.
- Social Work at Hoboken Public Library – Learn about the social work services being provided at Hoboken Public Library, including drop-in social service assistance, Project ID, Community Care Kits, and more.
- NJ-211 – New Jersey’s statewide information and referral service including a 24-hour hotline, text, email and chat; the State Homeless Hotline and Utility Assistance Hotline; and a database of resources and social services throughout the state of New Jersey.
- Why Your Local Library May be Hiring a Social Worker (NPR) – “For years, libraries have been a place people turn to for information to help them solve problems. But the challenges patrons are dealing with are increasingly beyond the scope of what most librarians are trained to handle — and that’s where social workers can fill in the gaps.”
Updated 3/7/2023 – AB
