When Jon first came to the Bethlehem Area Public Library (BAPL) for help, his hearing problems were so severe that he couldn’t hear the staff speak and had to rely on computer screens to communicate with them.
Jeremiah, the library’s Resource Navigator, collaborated with Valley Health Partners to guide Jon through multiple appointments, fittings, and approvals for assistive devices. Thanks to his new hearing aids, Jon can now hear much better.
Jon is one of many people Jeremiah has helped in his role as Resource Navigator, a position that’s part of a joint effort between BAPL, Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering (BES), and the city of Bethlehem to help those in need, housed and unhoused alike.
“He helped me with everything when I had nowhere to go,” Jon said. “I feel like people outside the shelter and outside the library don’t really understand what it’s like for people like me. So it’s good to have someone like Jeremiah to talk to and to help me out.”
Connecting Patrons to Vital Resources
The Bethlehem Area Public Library at 11 West Church Street in Bethlehem.
Jeremiah said of his role, “Mostly, I’m trying to connect people to an appropriate resource. The library staff is great at what they do; they are very caring and open to helping people regardless of their circumstances. But there are times when it’s beneficial to have another person around who can help provide people with information based on their needs.”
As Resource Navigator, Jeremiah provides personalized assistance to patrons by connecting them with essential resources like housing, health care, and job support, while bridging the gap between community services and individuals in need.
“The position helps fill a critical gap in social services and expands the library’s role in meeting the community’s needs,” said Josh Berk, Executive Director of BAPL. “While people tend to think of libraries as just providing information services, this is a logical extension of our services because it’s directly addressing social needs.”
Berk said the library had initially considered hiring a social worker directly but, after discussions with BES, opted to contract the position through them due to their trained staff and local expertise. Jeremiah had previously volunteered with BES when the organization operated through rotating church shelters, before its permanent location at 75 East Market Street.
Easing the Burden on Library Staff
BES Executive Director Bob Rapp said among the many other benefits of the position, Jeremiah has helped relieve pressure for and provide advice to staff at the library.
“Jeremiah has really helped take some of the weight off the staff at the library,” said BES Executive Director Bob Rapp. “In addition to their normal day-to-day jobs, they’ve helped handle difficult situations with our street neighbors who use the library as a place to rest and refit, and a place to stay warm. Jeremiah has been crucial in supporting them.”
The initial goal of the Resource Navigator position was to help people navigate the coordinated entry system for housing. In that role, Jeremiah does entries for programs like PA 211 and the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which allows multiple agencies to access and update records to streamline support services.
Over time, however, the position was expanded as Jeremiah began addressing a broader range of social needs, including health, mental health, food, and general support. In addition to offering practical services, he also provides a sympathetic ear, which many patrons appreciate during times of crisis.
Training and Expanding Support Services
Jeremiah also helps train library staff to better handle crisis situations and make appropriate referrals to services, Berk said.
“The staff values Jeremiah as a resource and expert in social services, which has helped improve the library’s ability to support patrons with diverse needs,” he said. “Patrons also appreciate the presence of a trained resource navigator who can address their social needs while using the library, which enhances the library’s role as a community resource.”
Jeremiah has a background in education, including classroom teaching, outdoor education, and wilderness therapy. He applied for the position because he enjoys working with people from different backgrounds and establishing trust to connect them with resources.
Jon, who sometimes stays at BES, said he appreciates having places to stay and people like Jeremiah to help him. “And ever since I’ve been coming in here, I can talk to him about anything and everything,” he said. “It’s good to be around people who care.”
