An outreach services support walk-up window has been created at the Saskatoon Public Library to provide help from registered social workers in a physically distanced way.

SPL’s Senior Manager of Welcoming Initiatives, Amanda Lepage ,says someone who has a social need like housing, income support or unemployment could get help from an outreach worker at the new walk-up window. She says it will serve people who are under-served, who might not have a phone, internet or even a home and can’t do things remotely. Lepage adds that the library has always been a welcoming and open place for everyone to come for help.

Lepage says with COVID-19 restrictions there are capacity limits and the window provides an opportunity for people to still get help.

The window is located on the east side of the Frances Morrison Central Library, along 4th avenue and will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 6pm.
Lepage says they hope to hire another social worker to potentially expand those hours to Monday to Friday.

Lepage says registered social workers have been working out of the central library since 2018 to help with things like emergency shelter, food bank referrals and income assistance applications. In 2019 outreach workers connected with more than 400 people and those numbers have only increased during the pandemic.

The outreach services support walk-up window was funded with a grant from the Emergency Community Fund, established by the Federal Government and administered by the United Way of Saskatoon and Area.