Bangor library to hire social worker
BANGOR — The Bangor Public Library has been approved to receive $341,000 in American Rescue Plan Act Funds.
The library plans to make some improvements in an effort to keep staff safe while helping individuals experiencing crisis.
“We’re a zero barrier space. Anyone can walk through the door. And we never say.. Okay what are you in the library for today,” said Bangor Public Library director Ben Treat.
Treat said the building should be a safe space for everyone. But patrons’ repeated outbursts and occasional criminal activity in recent years must be addressed…
“We’ve had people who’ve used illegal drugs in the bathroom.. Including overdosing in the bathroom,” according to Treat.
“The library has been a de facto warming center for a number of the homeless and in order to react to that the library really needs to get the manpower in there to help,” said Bangor City Council Chair Rich Fournier.
Penobscot County worked in collaboration with the City of Bangor to approve grant funds in a way that would address those issues, which includes hiring trained professionals for certain situations.
“The goal is to really have that social worker be able to support people that are in crisis by referring them to some of the many services that are in the area,” said Treat.
The library will hire an additional staff member, plus a trained social worker, as well as install additional security cameras to extend reporting and monitoring services.
The future social worker employee would hold a two year contract.
“People love the library. People come to the library for different services. I think long term everybody’s goal is for the number of people that are homeless in Bangor to be reduced,” said Treat.
The library should receive its ARPA funds by the end of the month and staff plan to advertise for the social worker position in the coming weeks.
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