MA CLUBHOUSE COALITION

LIBRARIES AND CLUBHOUSES: AN EXCITING PARTNERSHIP

Thanks to guidance from the Employment Expansion Project Employer Advisory Board members, and in particular Board member Kathy Glick-Weil, former director of the Newton Free Library and Past President of the Massachusetts Library Association, the Project has embarked on an exciting partnership between Clubhouses and libraries. In addition to distributing employer reference letters from three library employers to all US ICCD certified Clubhouses, the Project has begun a series of activities including participating in library tradeshows, hosting luncheons for library and Clubhouse staff and organizing trainings for library staff about mental illness.

The Project has found that participating in business trade shows is an excellent vehicle to spread the word about Clubhouse employment while educating about mental illness. Trade shows provide immediate access to a large number of potential employers at one time. This year, the Project staffed exhibit booths at two library conventions, the Massachusetts Library Association Convention in May, 2008 and the New England Library Association Conference in October, 2008.

It was an enriching experience for all who participated. Library personnel were interested in learning about Clubhouse employment. Project staff connected with libraries across New England and employment coordinators and Clubhouse members were able to practice their job pitches as they spoke to hundreds of librarians about Clubhouse employment and the benefits of hiring members. The more seasoned employment coordinators were able to model concise pitches for the newer staff and members who are still developing and refining their approach. Keith Jeronymo of Options Clubhouse in Marlborough, MA described the experience: “It was especially helpful to make my pitch over and over again in a real situation. I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

After the MLA Convention, Project staff, together with Kathy Glick-Weil, organized a luncheon to introduce three library directors and their staff to their local Clubhouses. Clubhouse and library representatives shared information and talked over an informal luncheon. Kathy spoke passionately about her experience working with Elliot House and encouraged her colleagues to strongly consider partnering with the Clubhouses in their areas. Library directors and staff talked about the work and needs of their libraries and Clubhouse members and staff spoke about Clubhouse employment support and the invaluable experience of work in a person’s recovery from mental illness.

The Project’s work with public libraries is paying off with new jobs. Weeks after the MLA Convention, the Wayland Public Library contacted the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition and offered a page position to Charles Webster Potter Place. After utilizing the library reference letters, High Hopes in Waterville, ME and Lighthouse in Springfield, MA now have members working in their public libraries. Other Clubhouses are presently following up with their library contacts and we expect more good news soon.

Our work with public libraries has given us a deeper understanding of the role that libraries increasingly play as social service centers in our communities. More and More, people who are homeless, people with mental illness and children spend time at libraries enjoying the warm environment rich with books, friendly people, and free computer access. At times, the growing social service center functions require new skills from library personnel. Although library staff are typically willing to help, they are not trained to be social workers and can find themselves unsure of how to respond to the growing need. In response to the library’s request, the Employment Expansion Project organized an in-service training about mental illness at the Newton Free Library for over 50 of its staff. The training was well received and the Project is planning to partner with additional libraries to present similar trainings.

The Employment Expansion Project plans to replicate the successes of the Clubhouse-Library Partnership with other industries. We are exploring similar opportunities with newspapers and other business organizations.