Student looking through archives at UKs King Library Annex
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sep 11, 2026) — The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), in partnership with the School of Information Science in the College of Communication and Information, is launching a new graduate certificate designed to prepare professionals to address the complex needs emerging within today’s public libraries.
The nine-credit-hour Social Work-Informed Library Services Graduate Certificate brings together social work knowledge and library science practice. Offered fully online in an asynchronous format, the certificate will prepare students to support patrons experiencing crises, apply trauma-informed and evidence-based practices, strengthen community partnerships and promote the well-being of library patrons and employees.
“Public libraries are increasingly called upon to respond to complex social and behavioral health needs,” said Amanda Brown, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor and director of the Master of Social Work program. “By bringing social work and library science together, this certificate will prepare professionals to respond ethically, strengthen community partnerships and connect patrons with appropriate resources while respecting the distinct role of the library.”
“Public librarians have provided resources to community members without cost and, through reference and referral services, have often connected people to other organizations,” said Brian Real, Ph.D., assistant professor in the School of Information Science. “Connecting public libraries to social work services is a natural step forward, since people with the greatest needs already trust librarians.”
Their role continues to expand as libraries help address needs involving literacy, digital access, workforce development, civic participation, health and social connection. A national Public Library Association survey found that 84.7% of responding libraries were addressing literacy and educational achievement, 66.6% were addressing digital equity and 62.4% were supporting civic engagement. Nearly all responding libraries — 99% — offered summer reading programs for children, teens or adults. As trusted and accessible community institutions, libraries also regularly serve people experiencing housing instability, mental health concerns, substance use, financial hardship, social isolation and other challenges. Library employees may be asked to recognize crises, de-escalate difficult situations and connect patrons with resources, even when they have not received specialized training in those areas.
Recent research describes public libraries as increasingly encountering patrons in crisis and highlights the importance of collaboration among librarians, social workers, and other community professionals when responding to those situations, according to Dr. Youngok Choi, director of the School of Information Science. The Public Library Association has also developed trauma-informed de-escalation guidance specifically for library employees, reflecting a growing need for practical preparation and support within the profession.
The new UK certificate responds to that need by preparing students to work at the intersection of library service, mental health, and community well-being. The program is designed for graduate students and professionals interested in public library service, including Master of Social Work students, Master of Science in Library Science students, doctoral students and early-career professionals.
The certificate builds on an existing interdisciplinary partnership between the School of Information Science and the College of Social Work. UK faculty from the two units have also collaborated on an Institute of Museum and Library Services-supported initiative to strengthen social services in public libraries and prepare graduate students from both fields to serve communities more effectively. This sustained collaboration has provided a strong foundation for the development of the certificate, which formalizes and extends the partnership by integrating expertise from library and information science and social work to prepare professionals for interdisciplinary practice in public libraries.
Through the certificate, students will develop specialized skills that can strengthen their work in libraries, social service organizations and other community-based settings. Graduates will be prepared to help libraries establish effective referral systems, build partnerships with local organizations, develop inclusive services and respond to patron needs while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
The certificate will begin accepting students for Spring 2027. To learn more or apply, visit https://online.uky.edu/graduate-certificate/social-work-informed-library-services.
This project was made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services Award Number RE-258982-OLS-25.