PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Athenaeum now has a full-time social worker to meet community members' needs that go beyond books. 

A few months ago, Gabriela Leon was hired as the first library social worker in Berkshire County. The position was created to address service gaps for unhoused people who frequent the library, located centrally on Wendell Avenue. 

"I'm here to really just connect people with resources, be available," Leon told the Homelessness Advisory Committee on Wednesday. 

"My door is open to not just the unhoused population, to anyone in this library that may have a need, or a concern, or just need a space to talk and navigate certain situations." 

Libraries have in many cases become places of sanctuary for the unhoused and poor. They offer warmth, a place to rest, bathroom facilities and access to resources to information, resources and internet. The American Library Association describes it as an opportunity to change lives. 

According to a job posting from last year, the position manages and develops programs to meet patrons' behavioral health needs in the context of the library, and fosters equity and access to resources for behavioral health, substance misuse, housing, employment, and education. 

The library social worker will also lead "compassionate enforcement" efforts. Duties include staff assistance and training, direct patron work, and building community partnerships.

While the librarians are "so incredibly skilled" at their positions, Leon explained, their areas of expertise are not in social work, crisis intervention, and de-escalation. Her position, as she understands, was brought in to address those needs. 

During the first two months, Leon performed a needs assessment with each department to see how they can be supported, and is working on building a curriculum to address training gaps identified by employees.