This spring VCU Libraries launches a new look for one of its most widely used online resources, The Social Welfare History Project.

Tackling the complex problems of society requires understanding the issues and any attempted solutions, including the successes and shortcomings of those endeavors. The Social Welfare History Project supports those who seek this understanding: social workers, historians, policymakers, students and the general public. 

One aspect of that support involves periodically studying how users interact with VCU Libraries' presentation of these online materials. The redesign was informed by feedback from scholars and cultural heritage professionals.

 "The new design for the Social Welfare History Project makes the mission of the site clearer and focuses on increasing engagement with the site for researchers and contributors,” said Senior Web and User Experience Librarian Ashley Brewer. Brewer, along with Web Designer Todd Easter and Web Applications Engineer Cody Whitby, created the new design in collaboration with the Digital Libraries and Publishing department.   

Visitors to the new home page will find it easier to discover recent contributions and key historical resources. Prominent navigation buttons and a project guide help users better understand the breadth and arrangement of the project and how they can uncover information they seek.

The scope of the project is expansive. “Social welfare history is an interdisciplinary field that studies the evolution of organized activities that work to improve society and the lives of people in need,” said Digital Outreach and Special Projects Librarian and Project Manager Alice Campbell. According to Campbell the questions examined within this discipline–and the SWHP–are multifaceted and interconnected: What shall we do to help the poor? How should we protect and care for our children? How do we deal with immigration? Who gets to fully participate as a citizen? How can we help all people to have equal opportunities for fulfilling, productive lives? 

The original project website was launched in 2010 by John E. Hansan, Ph.D. (1930 – 2019  who had started the project in the 1990s. He researched and recruited content from a large group of founding scholars. Seeking to ensure the project's future, Hansan invited VCU Libraries to assume responsibility for the site. In 2016, VCU Libraries transformed the site into a sustainable institutional resource and updated the site to contemporary standards for hosting, accessibility, usability and copyright. In 2023, VCU Libraries received a Mellon Foundation Grant to further enhance the project. The current update resulted from a thorough site review that was funded in part by that grant. 

The Social Welfare History Project is a trusted resource for a wide audience, including educators, students, researchers, and general readers. It has considerable global reach, with more than 3,000 visits daily (1.2 million per year). 

New articles are published regularly on current and historical topics, and the project welcomes submissions from faculty, graduate students, librarians, archivists, independent researchers, and social work or public health practitioners. “We have a renewed emphasis on recruiting participation and building a community of contributors,” said Karen Bjork, head of digital libraries and publishing.

“We are especially interested in hearing from VCU students who want to share their research, whether uncovering lesser-known histories or analyzing key social movements. The Social Welfare History Project is a living resource, and we’re eager to expand its reach with fresh perspectives.”

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To learn more about contributing articles to the project, see the call for proposals or email the project: LibSWHP@vcu.edu.