Grants for placement of students and social workers in public libraries

(a)

In general

Beginning not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education (referred to in this section as the Secretary) shall carry out a program under which the Secretary makes grants, on a competitive basis, to institutions of higher education to support the placement of students and licensed professional social workers in public libraries.(b)

Application

(1)

In general

To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an institution of higher education shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. As part of such application the institution shall demonstrate that—(A)it has established a partnership with each library in which a social worker or intern is expected to be placed pursuant to subsection (d);(B)it has developed a thorough plan, in coordination with each such library, to support such social workers and interns; and(C)each library in which a social worker or intern is expected to be placed pursuant to subsection (d) is in a community with a demonstrated need for social work support and services.(2)

Considerations

In selecting institutions of higher education to receive grants under this section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to institutions that will use the grant to serve communities that are under resourced or have a high level of need for social workers.(c)

Coordination

The Secretary shall coordinate with the Institute of Museum and Library Services to develop and review grant applications under this section, which shall include the solicitation of feedback from relevant stakeholders in the development of such materials.(d)

Use of funds

An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant—(1)(A)to employ one or more licensed professional social workers whom the institution shall seek to place on a full-time basis in public libraries in the geographic region surrounding the institution; or(B)to arrange placements of one or more licensed professional social workers who are employed by other entities, whom the institution shall seek to place on a full-time basis in public libraries in the geographic region surrounding the institution; and(2)to arrange and fully fund internships and field placements at such libraries for students of the institution who are majoring in social work, including students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work.(e)

Additional requirements

(1)

Duties of institutions

An institution of higher education that receives a grant under this section shall—(A)be responsible for the payment and employment-related administration of the social workers placed at public libraries pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(A) and the interns placed at such libraries pursuant to subsection (d)(2);(B)pay a wage of not less than $15 per hour to each intern serving in a public library pursuant to subsection (d)(2);(C)ensure that each such intern—(i)is supervised by a licensed professional social worker (who may be a social worker employed by the institution or a social worker otherwise employed at the public library at which the intern serves); and(ii)practices within the scope and limitations of a social work intern role as set forth by the accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education; and(D)enter into and maintain a partnership with each library at which social workers and interns are placed by the institution to ensure that such social workers and interns are—(i)continuously supported by the library and the institution; and(ii)able to carry out their duties effectively.(2)

Duties of social workers

(A)

In general

The duties of a social worker placed at the public library pursuant to subsection (d)(1) shall be to provide services and support to the library and library patrons to boost the library’s capacity to address the holistic needs of patrons, including—(i)information or referrals on health, mental health, nutrition, financial well-being and economic mobility, and other social services for which the patron may be eligible; (ii)direct assistance in applying for and accessing such services;(iii)conducting library staff training on relevant topics within the social workers’ and social work interns’ competence and scope of practice; and(iv)other duties as may be determined by local conditions, the institution, and the participating library.(B)

Code of ethics

A licensed professional social worker or intern placed at the library pursuant to subsection (d) shall be required to adhere to the social work profession’s code of ethics as set forth by the National Association for Social Workers.(C)

Limitations

A licensed professional social worker or intern placed at a library pursuant to subsection (d)—(i)shall not be required to report an alien who is not in lawful immigration status to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and may provide such alien with appropriate professional services; and(ii)shall not be required to provide direct healthcare and mental health services to library patrons, such as the administration of diagnostic medical tests.(3)

Duties of libraries

A library that enters into a partnership with an institution of higher education as described in paragraph (1)(D)—(A)shall—(i)provide social workers and interns placed at the library with general support, including access to resources (such as office space, technology, and staff time) to ensure such social workers and interns are able to effectively carry out their responsibilities;(ii)provide input regarding the services and programming offered by such social workers and interns; and(iii)adhere to the American Library Association’s code of ethics; and(B)may designate members of the library staff to serve as a preceptor or library task supervisor for such interns.(4)

Supplementary grants

Subject to the availability of appropriations, an institution of higher education that receives a grant under this section may apply—(A)to the Secretary for a supplementary grant which, if received by such institution, shall be used in accordance with the requirements of this section; or(B)to the Secretary for additional funds to support the maintenance of a program or department established though the program under this section.

National technical assistance center

(a)

In general

The Secretary Education, in coordination with the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and through the solicitation of feedback from relevant stakeholders, shall establish an evaluation, documentation, dissemination, and technical assistance resource center to provide appropriate information, training, and technical assistance to States, political subdivisions of States, federally recognized Indian Tribes, tribal organizations, institutions of higher education, State and local educational agencies, and individual students and educators with respect to—(1)hiring and retaining social workers in libraries; and(2)carrying out programs to facilitate the placement of social workers in libraries on a temporary or permanent basis.(b)

Responsibilities of the center

The center established under subsection (a) shall conduct activities for the purpose of—(1)developing and continuing statewide or tribal strategies for improving the effectiveness of the social work and library workforce;(2)studying the costs and effectiveness of library social work programs at institutions of higher education to identify areas of improvement and provide information on relevant issues of importance to State, Tribal, and national policymakers;(3)working with Federal agencies and other State, Tribal, and national stakeholders to collect, evaluate, and disseminate data regarding social work ratios, outcomes and best practices of services provided, and the impact of expanding the number of social workers within libraries; and(4)establishing partnerships among National, State, Tribal, and local governments, and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, libraries, nonprofit organizations, and State and national trade associations for the purposes of—(A)data collection and dissemination;(B)establishing a library social work workforce development program;(C)documenting the success of library social work methods on a national level; and(D)conducting other activities as determined appropriate by the Secretary of Education.