Scugog library enters into a partnership to add an outreach worker

DAN CEARNS, The Standard

SCUGOG: The Region of Durham and the Scugog Memorial Public Library are partnering to bring a new service to the local Port Perry library.

On Tuesday, January 24th, it was announced, the two sides had entered into a partnership which will see an Outreach Worker from the Region attend the library, on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

“Region of Durham Outreach Workers have a wealth of knowledge and can connect community residents to a variety of social service supports which include financial resources, housing, food security, counselling, Children’s Services referrals, assistance to replace government issued identification, and more,” a Scugog Library press release explained. “The Outreach Worker can also communicate with community agencies on behalf of Scugog residents, assist with online government application forms, and help clients navigate the paths to accessing resources.”

The press release added, there is no appointment necessary for people to use this resource.

Scugog library CEO, Amy Caughlin explained how this partnership came together. “They contacted us a couple of months ago, so we’ve just been setting up all of the details and working out all of the details. They do this kind of program at some of the other libraries in the Durham Region. We’re fortunate [the outreach worker] is going to be here for almost the full day.”

She also noted, the local library is a great place to access a service like this.

“Since the library has so many free services, to begin with, and [provides] access to supports in the community, in so many ways, a lot of people come to use the library [who] are quite often marginalized, in some way, or [who] may not have technology at home [to] use or things like that. So, they come in to use our WIFI, [and/or] they come in to use our public computers. So they’re already coming into the library, even for shelter sometimes. It’s a very good place to reach and assist them.”

In an email, Ms. Caughlin stated, she hopes this partnership “will make many services more accessible to our local residents.” The partnership will begin on February 7th.