Central Library brings a social worker on board

From The Oregonian:

Susan Voss-Rothmeier walks the halls of Portland's Central Library, a bag slung over her shoulder and a clipboard of resource lists in her hands.

She looks for opportunities to discreetly approach people and quietly ask if she can be of help.

"It's walking around and meeting people and just introducing myself," Susan said of her typical work day. "I just keep it low-key."

Susan is the first, and so far the only, on-site social worker contracted with the Multnomah County Library system. She's three months into a year-long pilot program that provides free social services to patrons in crisis.

Central Library, where Susan spends the bulk of her time, has a jarring juxtaposition between historic opulence and modern poverty.