The DC Public Library will develop a tool to help librarians match people in need with appropriate social service organizations, thanks to funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.



The project was named a winner of the Knight News Challenge on Libraries, which supports efforts that will provide new tools and approaches that leverage libraries as a platform to build more knowledgeable communities. The DC Public Library is the only library in Washington Metropolitan area to win this News Challenge.



“Public libraries across the country are increasingly devoting resources to better serving their most vulnerable populations,” said Richard Reyes-Gavilan, executive director of the DC Public Library. “This tool will allow our staff to provide our patrons with accurate and timely referrals, and thereby greatly simplify access to crucial social services.”



The referral tool prototype will walk librarians through a series of questions to ask a person seeking help. Based on the answers, librarians will be able to identify the organizations that are best able to help, as well as their most current service hours and contact information. Based on the answers, this tool will list the organizations that may be able to help and who to contact for more information.



The library will work with social service organizations to create screening questions. The questions will be arranged into an “if this, then that” format that will guide library staff. The questions and the data on social service organizations will be housed on the internet in an open source format so that information can be easily updated, and other social service organizations can make accurate referrals and for other applications.



The grant supports a growing effort locally and nationally to make data about health, human, and social services easier to compile, store, find and share using a standard format.



The Knight News Challenge accelerates media innovation by funding breakthrough ideas in news and information. Since 2007 Knight Foundation has reviewed more than 10,000 News Challenge applications and provided nearly $50 million in funding to 133 projects. In addition to funding, winners receive support from Knight’s network of influential peers and advisers to help advance their ideas.



There is a growing demand for libraries to evolve their role and become more dynamic, living platforms, responsive to community needs,” said John S. Bracken, Knight Foundation vice president for media innovation. “The winners are working to reinvent the ways in which people experience the library, and providing citizens with the tools and information they require to contribute and strengthen our democracy.”



The prototype is expected to be released this summer. Updated versions will be released as the tool is refined and more partners develop screening questions.



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About the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation

Knight Foundation supports transformational ideas that promote quality journalism, advance media innovation, engage communities and foster the arts. We believe that democracy thrives when people and communities are informed and engaged. For more information, please visit knightfoundation.org.

