Randolph County Public Libraries Community Navigators

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

The Randolph County Public Libraries Community Navigator program embeds two social workers on the library staff to address residents’ human services needs that can be resolved by referral to sources of support in the community. The goal is to prevent individuals and families from sliding into deeper levels of dependency or intervention, such as by Social Services or law enforcement. The navigators receive clients who walk in to libraries, are referred by library staff, are referred by other agencies and organizations, or who otherwise learn about the program. The navigators have office hours at each of the seven library branches in the county. They assess client needs, matching clients with resources in the community and the region, and provide direct assistance when appropriate. They act as caseworkers, following through to ensure that clients connect with resources and receive help, and mediating with other agencies when necessary. The navigators have become integral to the human services safety net in Randolph County, receiving an average of two new clients each working day and collaborating with some 120 community agencies, organizations, professionals and individuals to receive and refer clients.