Libraries are often the community’s safety net and provide critical assistance and services to those who need it most. How can your library still fulfill these needs and provide support when community access in your building is limited or unavailable?
MLA welcomes Tiffany Russell, LMSW, Social Worker at the Niles District Library, to this month’s MLA Connect Coffee Hour to talk about how she supported her community before and during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as share some ideas about how you can be that resource for your own community whether you have an on-staff social worker or not.
Please come with questions and ideas to share with the group. How has your library responded during and after the statewide closure? What services are you able to provide and what are you still figuring out? What have you done to strengthen that safety net in your library and community?
Special Guest:
Tiffany Russell, LMSW, Social Worker at the Niles District Library
Tiffany Russell, LMSW is a licensed clinical social worker and the Social Services Manager at Niles District Library in Niles, MI. She received her MSW from Western Michigan University. Tiffany oversees the Social Workers in Rural and Small Libraries (SWIRSL) program, a grant-funded project, which provides patrons with information, referrals and resources as well as develops collaborative relationships with local social service agencies. Additionally, the SWIRSL program provides information and training for library staff on various topics. The program provides social work interns to six other public libraries in Southwest Michigan. Tiffany was the recipient of the Field Instructor of the Year award for Western Michigan University’s School of Social Work – Southwest Campus in 2019. She is a part-time instructor for Western Michigan University’s School of Social Work. She resides in Southwest Michigan with her spouse, two children, and chocolate lab.
Please note this recording is provided for information purposes only and is not legal advice. If you are in need of special accommodations to access this resource please contact us at [email protected].
MLA Connect Coffee Hour: Library Social Services 
