Elizabeth Shlah, Social Worker at the Downers Grove Public Library
The Downers Grove Public Library recently hired Elizabeth Shlah as its first full-time Social Worker. The new position enhances the library’s social work program by adding a full-time social worker to the already thriving program supported by social work interns from Aurora University. The new Social Worker will provide information, support, and assistance for a wide range of ages and needs through appointments, walk-in consultations, and assessments.
Shlah joined the library in early June and brings to the community a rich work experience that provides a range of experience within the social work field. She holds a Master’s degree in social work from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. In previous positions, she worked at DuPage Pads in Permit Supportive Housing, was a foster care caseworker at Hephzibah Children’s Association, and at Forest Park Public Library as a support to their security team. Not only does Shlah have extensive experience working with various populations due to her previous positions, but she is familiar with the Downers Grove community, as she grew up in Wheaton.
Shlah’s strengths in service are her empathetic approach and personable nature. “I want to meet people where they are and create a safe space for people who are facing really challenging times; it’s important in social services to help remove barriers for people in need of accessing services. I have thorough training in trauma informed care and have seen how trauma can affect a person. My goal is to be consistent with my interactions with people and have everyone I meet leave our interaction feeling better than they came in,” states Shlah.
The new position was created in response to the clear need of the community. The social work internship program saw a 541% increase in interactions during 2024 from the previous year, with 30% of those being seniors. The Social Worker will lead the library’s social work program, which includes being the site supervisor for the social work internship program, a partnership with Aurora University. Additionally, the Social Worker is responsible for supporting patrons with information and resources through one-on-one consultations and assessments; coordinating donation drives and service-related programming; and supporting staff in patron related conflict mediation, crisis intervention.
The Social Worker position at the library supports a Village service that is much needed by the community. Prior to the library’s social work program, the Village’s Social Worker, who is part of the Police Department, independently served the general public of the Village of Downers Grove, a population of just over 50,000 people. The library views its social work program as a support to the community by providing expanded social services and availability. The addition of this position provides easy access to a social worker in a public space with availability on weekends and evening hours. The library’s Social Worker can also provide individual consultations and assistance to community members with digital and form literacy so they can submit documentation for life-changing services.
The library’s Social Worker position is permanent, enhancing the social services program at DGPL. The Downers Grove Public Library Foundation generously supports the Social Work Internship program, where Bachelor’s and Master’s students get in-person experience working with community members seeking resources, and oversight by the full-time Social Worker.
Social work within libraries is a natural fit; oftentimes, the most vulnerable community members find themselves seeking answers, resources, and compassion when entering library doors. The library is one of the last public spaces which does not require a purchase or purpose to enter its space. Individuals in crisis or on the brink of large life changes come seeking assistance and the library’s social work program provides individual support and establishes relationships. “I grew up in libraries and it feels full circle to be able to serve the community in a library,” shared Shlah.
To find more information about Social Services at the Downers Grove Public Library, visit dglibrary.org/social-services.
About the Downers Grove Public Library: The Downers Grove Public Library welcomes all to discover, grow, play, and learn.