Library+Services

=Library Services=

=I. Introduction= toc Today, libraries have grown from being merely buildings filled with books into dynamic community centers. Library professionals have dedicated their pursuits to ensuring equitable and private access to information. Through this credo and their knowledge and understanding of information gaps and barriers to information seeking processes, librarians are well equipped to provide supportive and informative services and resources to survivors of abuse.

=II. Current Deficiencies= As depicted through several studies, several online resources, particularly supplied by federal or state government agencies, are severely lacking in clarity, comprehensiveness and security (Davenport, Richey, & Westbrook, 2008; Wathen & McKeown, 2010). Given abused survivors complex and multi-faceted information seeking process, these resources fail to provide the confidentiality and integrative information resources needed by this vulnerable user group. After conducting a sampling of several public library websites, it appears that currently the only service the majority of public libraries provide to this user population is a general listing of potential external resources. This listing generally includes both local and national social service providers, hotlines, legal advocates, or support groups. However, as demonstrated in the subsequent sections, the library has the ability to play a larger role in delivering targeted and supportive services to this vulnerable user population.

=III. The Library as a Safe Place= Ultimately, librarians are in an optimal position to meet the information needs of abuse survivors. With the library institution already established as a free and open information center, it is poised as a logical place for abused victims, survivors and their supporters to seek out resources. Libraries equipped with free Internet access can provide a safe place for survivors to conduct needed research for legal help, peer-to-peer advice or legal help. However, one obstacle often faced by abuse victims is finding care for their children so that they may have the time and space to conduct this research. Libraries that offer child programming (i.e. activities, storytime, film viewing, etc.) that do not require extensive/direct parent supervision may could accommodate this need during the user’s information search process. In addition, one major administrative policy that librarians must ensure to implement is the assurance of privacy and confidentiality for these users’ information seeking process. In the digital age, cyber security is a major concern and, in the case of abuse victims, it is also a major risk factor to these users (Cantwell, 2007).

=IV. Integrated information resources= Librarians as trained information managers are also in a position to provide abuse victims with integrated and well-organized services and resources that will meet their information needs and information seeking behavior. While libraries are increasingly faced with shrinking budgets and limited staff, time should be invested in providing targeted digital resources (i.e. subject pathfinders) that provide direct access to an array of information sources, including holdings in the library collection as well as other external web resources and local services and agencies (such as support groups, shelters or legal advice). This type of comprehensive support information resource is critical given some of the difficulties present in library cataloging processes. For example, the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) only includes the term “family violence” for bibliographic records. While domestic violence is a keyword that is related to this LCSH term there are also a number of other phrases that could be used in such a query, i.e. domestic abuse, abuse, violence, battered women, etc. Having a type of “one-stop-shopping” resources for these users would ease the information search process and avoid compounding the pressure, fear and uncertainty they are already experiencing. However, while the library resource for abuse victims should be an integrated and comprehensive information package, it should not necessarily be a static resource. As noted by Westbrook (2008), “the long-term, reiterative, and multi-faceted situations in which [intimate partner violence] survivors find themselves may actually benefit from layered or contextually organized information provision;” this type of approach would better match abuse victims information seeking process (p.35). Currently, the majority of public libraries offer only a simple listing of local resources and service providers to meet this information need. In today's digital age, the opportunity is available for libraries to provide more dynamic information resources that better match this user group's needs.

=V. Creating Partnerships= The library and its staff can also play an additional by creating collaborative partnerships with local social service communities, agencies and department that serve this user population. Again capitalizing on their professional information management training, librarians could assist these institutions in organizing and coordinating their information with database development consultation. In addition, these partnerships could provide joint programming to these users. For example, librarians could provide on-site information literacy trainings for abused women shelters, assisting them to find helpful and correct legal advice or employment resources. Moreover, libraries should consider partnership with health care institutions that provide medical attention to abuse victims, particularly if they do not have an on-site library. Providing targeted information resources directly to the victims as well as to the treating physicians could play a critical role in supporting the needs of abuse victims (Megison &Westbrook, 2009).

=VI. Reference and Collection Development= As noted by Wilmoth (2008) the nature of the reference interview could present an opportunity for reference librarians to integrate tools from crisis intervention and empowerment counseling to assist abuse victims in their search for information. The basic principles of the reference interview, such as maintaining an open and understanding environment, already fit well into the structure needed when providing service to abuse victims. Libraries should ensure continual training for their staff on preserving privacy, respect and support throughout a reference interview when a user is seeking information regarding abuse. Another important element is to also provide some type of virtual reference option, such as chat or email. While some users may feel comfortable confiding in a reference librarian their information need, others may feel to afraid or ashamed to speak with the librarian face-to-face. Lastly, the library should ensure a diverse and complete collection development policy regarding the topic of abuse that would be useful and appropriate for abuse victims, survivors and their support network. This collection should include both fiction and non-fiction resources (Dewdney, Harris, & Lockerby, 1996).

+ + = targeted & supportive services = = =VII. Sources= This article discusses how library collection development policy can be created in order to meet the needs of victims of domestic violence.
 * Note: These recommendations have been made with the understanding of the difficult economic and budgetary constraints faced by libraries today. With decreasing budgets and staff, libraries facing increasingly difficult decisions concerning their programs and services. Nevertheless, given the vulnerability of this user population, some time should be spent considering ways to better service this group.
 * Brinkman, A. (2004). Stopping the violence at home. //Library Journal//, //129//(13), 48-49.**

This report discusses the different considerations librarians, in particular law librarians, need to take into account when assisting victims of domestic violence. Considerations of privacy, confidentiality and security are key to protecting these victims who are seeking out information and resources to get help.
 * Cantwell, J. (2007). New Technology Means New Dangers for Domestic Violence Victims. //AALL Spectrum, 12//(2), 6-9.**

This study evaluates a the content and structure of online resources for victims of domestic violence created and maintained by state government websites.
 * Davenport, D.D., Richey, J., & Westbrook, L. (2008). E-government access to social service information: State web resources for domestic violence survivors.**
 * //Journal of American Society for Information Science and Technology, 59//(6), 903-915.**

This paper describes two studies in which social service network is considered as a type of information system and then questions the effectiveness of this system to the needs of battered and abused women. It also provides suggestions for how library professionals can provide better services to this user group as well as inform social service providers and policymakers/decision makers to also better serve this group.
 * Dewdney, P., Harris, R.M., & Lockerby, C. (1996). Meeting the Information Needs of Battered Women: Responsibilities and Roles for Library and Information**
 * Science. //Reference Librarian, (53)//, 27-45.**

This article notes the results of a study involving statewide dissemination of information to IPV victims by emergency room staff in Texas. Through analyzing the type, utility and formats of the information, as well as through ER staff suggestions, the authors conclude that hospital librarians could play a vital role in support the staff and patients dealing with the effects of IPV.
 * Megison, S., & Westbrook, L. (2009). Hospital Dissemination of Information Resources on Intimate Partner Violence: Statewide Analysis of Texas Emergency Room**
 * Staff. //Journal of Hospital Librarianship, 9//(3), 231-248. doi:10.1080/15323260903019360**

This paper examines and evaluates e-government resources provided in Canada for victims of domestic violence.
 * Wathen, C.N., & McKeown, S. (2010). Can the government really help? Online information for women experiencing violence. //Government Information Quarterly, 27//,**
 * 170-176.**

This article examines the information resources available on police department websites to serve victims of intimate partner violence(IPV). By examining the information needs and information seeking model of these abuse victims using the ELIS model, the author discovers major gaps and problems that must be resolved in order for effective local e-government social service information delivery to this vulnerable user population.
 * Westbrook, L. (2008). E-government support for people in crisis: An evaluation of police department website support for domestic violence survivors using “person-**
 * in-situation” information need analysis. //Library & Information Science Research, 30//, 22-38.**

This article discusses how public librarians--who have an understanding of the complex information needs and barriers to intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors--may be able to provide services and policies to enhance the safety, privacy and confidentiality of these survivors.
 * Westbrook, L., & Gonzalez, M. E. (2011). Information Support for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: Public Librarianship's Role. //Public Library Quarterly, 30//(2),**
 * 132-157. doi:10.1080/01616846.2011.575709.**

This article describes how reference interview may be used to also provide empowerment counseling and crisis intervention to victims of sexual assault. The article describes how reference librarians may be able to take on this role when victims and/or survivors are in search of relevant and helpful information.
 * Wilmoth, W. S. (2008). Using the tools of crisis intervention and empowerment counseling in the reference interview. //Georgia Library Quarterly, 45//(1), 9-13.**