David Pérez MI’26, a social worker who helps support the community through his job at the Long Branch Free Public Library, recognizes the importance of public libraries in communities and how much they can impact others.

As a Field Practicum Liaison for Rutgers School of Social Work, he acts as the connection between the social work agency, the student, and the school, and provides support for the Practicum Learning Instructor and the student. He also makes agency site visits either in-person or remotely to meet with the student and the Practicum Learning Instructor at least once a semester.

Pérez is also working with SC&I Associate Professor of Library and Information Science Charles Senteio on a New Jersey State Library project titled “Social Work Informed Libraries in New Jersey (SWILIB-NJ),” which is a collaboration between the NJSL and the Rutgers School of Social Work. The project was recently featured in Rutgers Today.

“I am proud to call David a friend,” Senteio said. “We first met shortly after I arrived at Rutgers in 2016 at an event at the Alexander Library which discussed synergies between social work and library science. We clicked right away because of his authenticity and desire to support others. We’ve been connected ever since. Last year, I was so happy to learn that David wanted to come to SC&I to pursue the Master of Information degree. In my role as Field Instructor for the Rutgers School of Social Work I’m honored to work closely with David given his role as Field Practicum Liaison.  I’m excited to see what impact he’ll have adding this training to his considerable skills and resourcefulness.”

Pérez is working with SC&I Associate Professor of Library and Information Science Charles Senteio on a New Jersey State Library project titled “Social Work Informed Libraries in New Jersey (SWILIB-NJ),” which is a collaboration between the NJSL and the Rutgers School of Social Work.

Before pursuing a Master of Information degree at Rutgers SC&I, Perez studied theological studies at Alliance University and business administration at American InterContinental University, and he received a Master of social work from Monmouth University. He also served in the U.S. Army as a soldier for ten years.

Read our Q&A with Pérez and learn more about why he chose to pursue an MI degree at SC&I, his career as a library social worker, and the advice he has for prospective MI students.

SC&I: Why did you choose to attend SC&I’s MI program?
DP: I’ve been a library social worker since 2015 (I am the very first full-time social worker hired directly by a public library in New Jersey), here at the Long Branch Free Public Library. Throughout the years, I’ve worked alongside my librarian colleagues and have learned so much about the purpose and significance of public library in communities. I’ve come to love libraries and in the beginning of 2023, the light bulb turned on and I just knew that I needed to become a librarian in addition to being a social worker, in order to be a part of bringing library social work to the next level.

Dedicate enough time to reading and writing for your classes and do not leave things for the last minute. Take an intentional approach to how you divide your day-to-day and always allow enough energy for class work.

SC&I: What has been the highlight of your time at SC&I as a current student?
DP: Honestly, all of the classes I’ve taken so far have been extremely enlightening, but I have to say that Intellectual Freedom with Prof. Kranich really opened my eyes to the “why” behind what we do.

SC&I: Have any professors and classes at SC&I had a real impact on you and why?
DP: Prof Nancy Kranich has by far had the most impact on me so far. I would love it if she could teach me all of my classes.

SC&I: What is the most rewarding and most challenging aspect of being a Library Social Worker?
DP: The most rewarding aspect are the outcomes of just how impactful library social work has been in the lives and families of the patrons I’ve engaged with. The human interaction and the ability to team up with someone and help them change the trajectory of their lives brings me to tears.

Honestly, all of the classes I’ve taken so far have been extremely enlightening, but I have to say that Intellectual Freedom with Prof. Kranich really opened my eyes to the “why” behind what we do.

The most challenging aspect has been relying on our governmental and non-profit social services agencies, to actually provide the help. The restrictions when it comes to specific criteria, or diagnosis, or citizenship status; is debilitating. I would like to successfully assist in every single scenario, but the reality is not that simple.

SC&I: How did you discover your passions for both library science and social work? How would you say the two fields work together?
DP: I credit my director, Tonya Garcia MLIS'10, for introducing me to truly empathetic librarianship. She has led me to want to understand more of how to lead a library. The two professions are honestly parallel. They both have a code of ethics that are surprisingly similar.

SC&I: How has your experience been as a Field Practicum Liaison for Rutgers’ School of Social Work?
DP: This has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. I work under Nancy Schley, Associate Director of Practicum Learning and Assistant Professor of Teaching at Rutgers’ School of Social Work, and she is absolutely awesome at what she does for the students. She is a fantastic mentor. Being a part of the students' introduction to social work, or even library social work, fulfills my professional goals and legacy.

SC&I: Do you have any advice for prospective MI students such as best practices for time management?
DP: The only advice I have is the same any other profession would offer: dedicate enough time to reading and writing for your classes and do not leave things for the last minute. Take an intentional approach to how you divide your day-to-day and always allow enough energy for class work.

Discover more about the Master of Information program at the School of Communication and Information on the website.

Photo: Courtesy of David Pérez