2-1-1 ToolKit. A Librarian At Every Table. No. 276.

The mission of 2-1-1 is to build America's capacity to strengthen the way people access help and engage in civic life.

Americans in search of critical services such as emergency financial assistance, food, shelter, child care, jobs, or mental health support often do not know where to begin. Now, more than ever, individuals and families will need a way to efficiently access all the resources of the community to achieve or maintain self-sufficiency.

Community information and referral has been bringing people and services together as a critical part of the health and human service delivery system for over 30 years. I&R specialists are skilled professionals who assess callers' needs, determine their options and best course of action, direct them to appropriate programs/services, provide culturally appropriate support, intervene in crisis situations, and advocate for the caller as needed. 2-1-1 provides an easy way for every citizen to access comprehensive and specialized I&R services in their community.


The Alliance of Information and Referral Systems has designed the
AIRS 2-1-1 Toolkit to help 2-1-1 planners create cost effective, high quality, and investor friendly business plans. The AIRS 2-1-1 Toolkit is the only 2-1-1 planning process developed by experienced 2-1-1 consultants and tested by 2-1-1 planners in the field.

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For 2-1-1 and libraries see:

"Service Integration and Libraries: Will 2-1-1 be the Catalyst for Renewal?"
Reference and User Services Quarterly 40 (Winter, 2000).

Tennessee Library Association 2004.
Why should librarians provide information on community services?
--Doug Fluegel, Audrey May, Catherine Moirai, Martha Earl