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Social Work Library

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Located on the lower ground floor of McGuinn Hall, the Social Work Library supports the teaching and research needs of the Boston College School of Social Work (BCSSW)

About Us

Abby Walsh
Abby Walsh
Head Librarian
Email: abby.walsh@bc.edu
Phone: 617-552-3234
Contact me for: Library policy questions, programming and exhibits, general inquiries
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri
9am-5pm 9am-5pm 9am-5pm 9am-5pm 9am-5pm
Emmanuel Alvarado

Emmanuel Sosa Alvarado
Day Library Supervisor
Email: emmanuel.sosa@bc.edu
Phone:  617-552-0116
Contact me for: Course Reserves, Canvas instruction, technology or student employment

Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri
7:30am-3:30pm 7:30am-3:30pm 7:30am-3:30pm 7:30am-3:30pm 7:30am-3:30pm
Matthew Walleser
Matthew Walleser
Evening Library Supervisor
Email: walleser@bc.edu
Phone: 617-552-3204
Contact me for: Course Reserves, Canvas instruction and student employment
Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs
1pm-9pm 2pm-10pm 2pm-10pm 2pm-10pm 2pm-10pm
Adam Williams
Adam Williams
Reference and Instruction Librarian
Email: adam.williams.2@bc.edu
Phone: 617-552-0792
Schedule a Meeting
Contact me for: Finding sources, citation assistance or to set-up a class library session
Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri
9am-5pm 9am-5pm 9am-5pm 9am-5pm 9am-5pm
  • Anita Peete, MSW 2025
  • Cailin Templeman, Arts & Sciences 2026
  • Caleb Bondzi, Arts & Sciences 2026
  • Daniela Fuerte, CSOM 2026
  • Gemma Hopkins, Arts & Sciences 2025
  • Bella Lora, Lynch School 2025
  • Jennifer Santiago Plaza, Nursing 2026
  • Kyannah DePina, MSW 2024
  • Mariasusana Garcia, Arts & Sciences 2026
  • Marcel McClain, MSW 2024
  • Sydney Hines, Lynch School 2025

Social Work Library Mission:

We strive to facilitate the academic goals of the BCSSW community through access to our library resources, services, and space.

Social Work Library Vision:

We are an academic partner to the BCSSW community

BC Libraries' Mission

  • There is no food or eating allowed in the Social Work Library.

Social Work Library Collection

The SWL serves the needs of the Boston College School of Social Work, as well as the related needs of researchers and students in the other social sciences. The Social Work Library bibliographers select materials based on user requests, curricular needs and knowledge of the discipline. The bibliographers collaborate with the School of Social Work community and purchase requests by faculty and graduate students whenever possible.

In alignment with the School of Social Work's commitment to training students and scholars to serve diverse populations, the Social Work Library pays close attention to materials on historically marginalized groups, including women, racial minorities, and the LGBTQ+ community.


Disciplinary Scope and Collecting Emphases

Teaching and research support for faculty and grad students and curricular support for graduate students are the primary goals. Social work as a discipline cuts across many subject areas including but not limited to:

  • behavioral and developmental sciences
  • psychoanalysis
  • neurosciences
  • clinical psychology
  • social psychology
  • sociology
  • environmental science
  • business
  • ministry
  • epidemiology
  • political science
  • biology
  • allied health
  • culture studies

The depth and breadth of selected disciplinary areas collected depends on the School of Social Work’s areas of research and curricular needs as well.

Format Selection

Format decisions follow the General Collection Development Policy. We do consider preferences of patrons, curricular needs, and other factors.

Journals are purchased with perpetual, electronic access whenever possible. Online backfiles are purchased to augment available content or replace print versions.

Monographs are preferably purchased as e-books to support wider access. Exceptions may be made at individual user request.

Bibliographic databases or indexes are exclusively purchased in electronic format and purchased for the widest possible audience.

Data resources are purchased to serve the School of Social Work community or the broader BC community whenever possible.

Language

The majority of selections are for English language material. Spanish language materials are acquired regularly as well. Acquisitions in other languages are made based on faculty request or a specific need.

Currency

Selection focuses on current scholarship, but retrospective acquisitions are made following changes to the curriculum or other specific needs.

Retention of Materials

Retention follows the General Collection Development Policy.

Donations

The Social Work Library does not accept donations. We recommend the following organizations that accept donations

General Contact Information

Social Work Library, McGuinn B38
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3810

Phone: 617-552-0109

Maps and Directions to Boston College

The Social Work Library is located on the lower ground floor of McGuinn Hall.