Health

Boise Public Library wants to hire a mental health worker

Boise State Public Radio News | By James Dawson
Published December 9, 2021 at 7:47 AM MST

Boise City Council will soon consider adding a mental health professional to its library staff, which is part of a growing trend nationwide.

Boise Library Director Jessica Dorr said Wednesday at a meeting before the library’s board of directors that the demand for this kind of a position is clear.

“There are a lot of indicators of this is a really challenging time in our community with … very unequal resources,” Dorr said.

High call volumes to the Idaho Suicide Prevention hotline, food insecurity and pricey housing, she said, are just some of those signs.

Boise city officials allocated more money to the library for additional security in September, according to Dorr.

“But that doesn’t meet the needs of our community right now, in particular, people experiencing mental health crises in our facilities.”

She said library staff advocated hiring a mental health coordinator after seeing similar programs across the country.

Leah Esguerra is credited as the first social worker at a library in the country when she was assigned to the San Francisco Public Library in 2009.

“Really, it’s just talking to someone and approaching them and asking them sincerely how their day has been going or how they’re feeling,” Esguerra said.

After gaining someone’s trust, she said the library can more easily help them find housing, health care or food.

{snip}