Social Work-Informed Consulting Services for Libraries & Public-Serving Organizations

Beth Wahler, MSW, PhD, brings a social work lens to the complex challenges facing libraries, public departments, and other community-serving organizations. With more than a decade of specialized work with libraries and growing partnerships across other public-sector settings, Beth helps organizations respond effectively to challenging patron and community needs, support staff, strengthen organizational practices, and make the most of available resources.

Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, Beth works collaboratively with each organization to develop practical approaches that fit its unique context, resource constraints, and goals. Her aim is to make social work-informed strategies accessible, even when hiring a social worker isn't feasible or the right fit.

Work With Beth

Services

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Needs Assessments

Program Design & Evaluation

Staff Training

Policy Review & Support

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General Consultation

Learn More About Services

  • “Beth has a strong understanding of the parallels and important differences between social work and librarianship and knows that each community is going to be different and needs to find their own solution. I highly recommend Beth and look forward to working with her again.”

  • “At a time when public services are stretched to their absolute maximum capacity and citizens of our communities are experiencing increased poverty, homelessness and behavioral health challenges, Dr. Wahler’s innovative work offers a low-cost solution to addressing the needs of a public organization critical to all communities and residents in need of services.”

  • “This [trauma-informed librarianship] training was up there with the best of the best trainings I have done. There were things for all levels of staff, new and old, on the floor, programming and middle management as well as the leadership team and CEO. There were things we did well, things we need to improve on, and definitely things we need to start doing. This was a timely, relevant training.”

  • “We are regularly presented with patron needs that we are not trained or equipped to meet, and we often respond with solutions that are ad hoc at best. Because of Beth’s work, we are able to provide a much higher quality response.”

  • “The training on trauma-informed librarianship was so useful and exactly what we need to help our library effect change around trauma-informed practice.

  • “I strongly recommend Beth as a researcher, advocate, and colleague. Without her work, we would have had a much more difficult path forward to where we are today.”

Let’s Work Together

Every library/group has different needs. Contact Beth for staff training, needs assessments, program development, evaluation services, or general consultation about your needs and the ways she might be able to help.

Contact Beth

Looking for self-pay webinars? Visit the Professional Development page.

Looking for the Library Social Work Conference? Visit the conference website.