Mapping Delawarean’s Basic Needs: Asset Mapping Shows Need and Opportunity for Streamlined Service Provision

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

This brief is the culmination of the Institute for Public Administration’s work with the Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership. Prepared for the Delaware Division of Libraries (DDL), this brief begins by describing the current process to accessing social services in Delaware, the barriers for accessing services, and recommendations to streamline service provision. This work was completed through the lens of Delaware librarians, who serve as liaisons between the general public and the social services they seek. The brief is meant to update partner organizations on the current work of Delaware Libraries and seek out partners’ engagement moving forward. Delaware is a small state with a high degree of connectivity between people; yet, many Delawareans struggle to find the services they need. Delaware public libraries are on the front lines of this struggle every day. In addition to providing books and Internet access, Delaware’s library system is also the social infrastructure that connects customers to applications for unemployment, jobs, housing, and more. Seeing the difficulty Delawareans face when trying to find and request services, the Delaware Division of Libraries seeks to connect all of the current, statewide efforts to streamline the access to services.