Many specialist addiction libraries have been downsized or closed since the 2000’s; a trend that has been happening in Europe, the U.S. and Canada. However, some still exist and many belong to SALIS, a valuable network that continues to be strong and is coordinating building The SALIS Collection to preserve and make available core literature in the field.
The ALA has published: “Libraries and the Substance Abuse Crisis: Supporting Your Community” by Cindy Grove which highlights how Public Libraries have an increasing role as important community centers for people struggling with addiction and how librarians working in these libraries can often feel overwhelmed serving these patrons. Cindy Grove’s book shows librarians can assist people with substance use disorders, and their loved ones, in an effective and empathetic way. The book can be downloaded in PDF from the ALA’s website.
Below is a list of libraries and collections that still exist. May they continue to thrive!
- ADAI Clearing House at the University of Washington
- Australian Alcohol and Drug Foundation Library
- Alcohol Research Group Library California
- Belgium Vereniging voor Alcohol en andere Drug problemen (VAD)
- The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Library, Toronto
- Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA)
- Dublin’s HRB National Drugs Library
- DrugScope’s old library– searchable online and you can visit with appointment
- French Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
- Greater Manchester Mental Health Library and Knowledge Services (NHS)
- Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, Addiction Research Library
- Rover – California’s Tobacco Control Library
- The Partnership to End Addiction
- The SALIS collection