BILL NUMBER: S5494
SPONSOR: BYNOE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the education law, in relation to state aid for library
social work services; and providing for the repeal of such provisions
upon the expiration thereof
 
PURPOSE:
This purpose of this bill is to establish a social work services program
for libraries and library systems within economically disadvantaged
communities to employ social workers and social worker supervisors.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of this bill would establish a social work services program
for libraries and library systems within economically disadvantaged
communities to employ social workers and social worker supervisors,
including:
*the application and approval process for state aid awards applied for
and approved under such social work services program;
*responsibilities and duties of social workers and social worker super-
visors; and,
*an annual report delivered by the Commissioner of the State Education
Department to the Legislature detailing social work services projects
that have received state funding and the communities to be served by
those projects.
Section 2 shall provide that the effective date shall take effect on the
ninetieth day after it shall have become a law and shall expire and be
deemed repealed three years after such date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
It is the intent of this Legislature to place social workers in
libraries to assist people who need access to greater resources and
social services assistance than what is currently available at a library
without a social worker. Libraries are friendly, hospitable, and restful
public spaces where people from a wide variety of backgrounds and all
walks of life gather to learn, connect with others, and rest. Libraries
provide an essential public good by connecting communities with opportu-
nities to upskill, seek education, and learn about resources to support
basic needs.
People view libraries as safe spaces for rest and learning, where they
can receive vital services for free. Libraries offer respite for all
community members, including the most vulnerable in our communities.
This includes those who are unhoused, those who cannot afford to cool
their homes during the summer, and those without broadband internet
access. As such, libraries are often the first to identify emerging
community issues as residents seek guidance and help from the library.
Many library patrons have needs that cannot be met by existing library
resources. Many needs extend beyond the scope of work of librarians, who
despite their best intentions to serve, are not trained nor equipped to
meet the wide range of social services challenges being faced by
patrons. These needs include housing assistance, mental health services,
and help accessing other social services. The co-location of social
workers in libraries connects people who need assistance with the work-
ers who can help them. Placing social workers in libraries will increase
access to social services for those who need it the most and will ensure
better community health and wellbeing.
Furthermore, by creating dedicated funding for library social workers,
libraries can serve the social services needs of the community without
having to pull funding from other vital services such as buying books,
developing programming, and maintaining the upkeep of their library
buildings. This bill would establish a social work services program for
libraries and library systems within economically disadvantaged communi-
ties to employ social workers and social worker supervisors.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law and shall expire and be deemed repealed three years after
such date.