Georgetown, City of

For the 50-year-old library, an anchor in the Georgetown community, building trust is essential for everything it does. Seeking new ways to support the community's diverse needs, the library hired the city's first licensed social worker in 2016. The library's Community Resource Coordinator serves as a social advocate for patrons in crisis and establishes collaborations and communications with nonprofits that strengthen the community's support systems. By placing a coordinator within its walls, the library could go well beyond the scope of a traditional services and establish a high-level of trust with residents. Now serving as the city's cultural center, the library uniquely employs a Fine Arts Librarian to manage free concerts, art exhibits, and collaboration with partners to enhance the city's art offerings. The library also serves as a center for civic dialogue, using resources and partnerships to foster discussions on such difficult subjects as politics, bullying, and race.