Garcia, Lee, Demings, Bass Introduce Bill to Increase Number of Social Workers in Libraries

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) introduced the More Social Workers (MSWs) in Libraries Act. The MSWs Act seeks to further strengthen public libraries as community hubs by facilitating aspiring social workers into library facilities across our country.

The bill will help reinforce America's social worker talent pipeline by creating a paid social worker internship program at public libraries across our nation. Specifically, under the MSWs Act, the Department of Education would develop a program to provide competitive grants to institutions of higher education that would be used to:

• fund an internship for social work university students in a regional public library; and
• employ a qualified social worker in a regional public library to oversee social work student interns

"Social workers and their positive impact are essential for healthy and vibrant communities," said Congresswoman Garcia. "As a social worker early in my career, I recognize now we must make it easier for aspiring social workers to achieve their professional goals. My bill will ensure social work interns are paid a living wage and are trained under the supervision of qualified social work professionals. I can't think of a better place than public libraries to host this program – as they are key learning centers and community hubs."

"As a social worker by profession and as Chair of the Congressional Social Work Caucus, I know the important and integral role that social workers play in our communities. Social workers play a key role in our society, especially for students and people from communities that have been overlooked and left behind. In the face of a national social worker shortage, the MSW Act will establish a creative process to recruit, train, and empower a new generation of social workers while directly benefiting our public libraries. I am proud to join my colleague Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia in co-leading this important bill and look forward to supporting and investing in social workers across our country." said Congresswoman Barbara Lee.

Said Rep. Demings, "As a former social worker I'm proud to help introduce this new legislation to support our communities, our libraries, and the next generation of social workers. When people need help, many of them go to their local public library, and many librarians have to try to do the job of a social worker on top of their usual responsibilities. Our legislation will help our libraries bring in the expertise that they need to handle critical issues from homelessness to domestic violence. By connecting members of our community with the services they need, we can help keep people safe and provide the counseling and structures they need to get back on their feet during tough times. I'm proud to join with another former social worker, Rep. Garcia, on this legislation and I urge my colleagues to support it."

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) strongly supports the More Social Workers in Libraries Act. Public libraries often serve as a pillar of the community, serving a diverse set of the population with a variety of healthcare needs. This legislation is a crucial first step in building out the social work workforce in non-traditional care settings, allowing the opportunity for licensed professional social workers and social worker students to provide care beyond the offices of a healthcare facility. As Congress looks to address the mental health and substance use disorder crises, now is the time to bring innovative approaches to how social workers and social work students can better serve their communities," said Council on Social Work Education president and CEO Darla Spence Coffey, PHD, MSW.

Public libraries play a vital role in shaping community development, and social workers offer a variety of services and resources to those in need of behavioral health and other support. Social workers connect people to local programs, engage in assessments, training, and cultural development, and are able to build sustaining relationships with those seeking services. Public libraries are hubs where everyone is welcome to support their education and embedding professional social workers in these spaces will ensure that expanded community resources are available to all," said Will Francis, LMSW, Executive Director, National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Texas Chapter.

"Situating social workers in public libraries affords the opportunity to connect community members in need with a range of critically important resources. This is an important opportunity to reduce any barriers to helping the most vulnerable in our communities" Mary McKay, PhD, President, American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare.

"The National Association of Social Workers thanks Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia for introducing the More Social Workers (MSW) In Libraries Act. This innovative and proactive strategy will benefit individuals, families, and entire communities," said Sarah Christa Butts, MSW, Director of Public Policy, National Association of Social Workers.

The MSWs Act has been cosponsored by:

Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04)

Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (PA-04)

Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46)

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)

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Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2018, becoming the first Latina ever to represent the Texas 29th Congressional District. She serves on the House Judiciary, Financial Services, and Armed Services Committees