Bridging Psychosocial Service Gaps in Rural Communities through Library Social Work

Library social work is an emerging field. In rural communities, where resources and infrastructure are often limited, public libraries serve as vital community hubs. However, little is known about rural contexts, particularly community needs and librarians' experiences. This study explored rural residents' perspectives on libraries and librarians' experiences in addressing their community's psychosocial needs. The authors used mixed-methods data from a large project aimed at developing a social service model for rural libraries. As part of this project, the authors conducted a statewide survey of rural residents (N = 1,145), followed by qualitative interviews with rural librarians (N = 11). The survey reported a wide range of psychosocial needs and showed their high expectations for local libraries to address them through various services, including resource referrals, online consultations, and in-library experts (e.g., social workers). Community members generally viewed psychosocial service provision as a fundamental role of local libraries, recognizing them as essential spaces for community well-being. This study underscored the gap between rural communities' psychosocial needs and the capacity of libraries to respond effectively. Social work can help bridge this gap through core skills such as community mobilization, resource navigation, direct service provision when needed, and training and consultation for librarians.