Social Work in the Library

Supporting Community Members

San José Public Library offers support to all community members, especially people experiencing homelessness.

About Social Work in the Library

What We Do

San José Public Library offers support to all community members, especially people experiencing homelessness. SJPL focuses on the following:

Understanding the needs of the housing insecure community in San José;
Developing pathways to facilitate warm hand-offs from the library to needed services; and
Building staff capacity to enhance our engagement with those who are unhoused.

SJPL works alongside community partners to accomplish the following:

Bring social work services into our library spaces;
Identify relevant staff trainings; and
Coordinate information sharing with library staff on evolving community resources.

How It Works

Social Work in the Library offers free social service information and referrals*. Our staff can meet with you, approach your needs without judgement, and help you find where to go for shelter, food, showers, mental health services, legal help, and more.

You can schedule a free, 20-minute 1-on-1 consultation to meet with our specialist. Our specialist will work with you to find appropriate resources that are available. Contact our specialist for an appointment:

Call: 408-808-2357
Email: julianna.black@sjlibrary.org

*Disclaimer: SJPL's Social Work in the Library does not establish a social worker-client relationship. SJPL does not offer case management or extensive follow-up services. We will try our best to get you connected to any resource we know of that could suit your needs. If you or someone you know is in crisis, please contact the Mental Health Call Center at 800-704-0900.

Partner Services

PATH

SJPL is proud to partner with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. PATH is ready to assist with case management, connecting you to appropriate services and resources, applying for public benefits, and more.

When & Where

PATH staff host drop-in hours at King Library in rooms 324 and 326 on the following days and times*:

Mondays - 9:30am-12:30pm
Tuesdays - 9:30am-12:30pm
Fridays - 9:30am-12:30pm

*Subject to availability

More Info

For further questions or support from PATH, please call the PATH Helpline: 408-753-8735.

AACI

AACI's vision is that everyone in our diverse community is healthy, safe and well. AACI seeks to improve the health, mental health and wellbeing of individuals and families. Connect with AACI for support in accessing their array of services including linkages to health services, behavioral health services, general wellness programs, and more.