LT130 Libraries and Social Media (Spring 2017)

Libraries and the Homeless

By Sara Rodriguez

The number of homelessness has been on the rise in major cities around the country, in 2014 over half a million people in the United States found themselves without a home. As the years go by this number seems to increase though to the lack of resources.  This is a major problem for these cities, fortunately libraries have taken a step forward to help address this issue. Homeless people are also members of our society, which is why they also have the right to get use of public libraries become helpful for them  They have become for some a type of haven for these people. For instance,according to No Place to Go in 2000 public forums were held by the Seattle public library to advocate for a creation of a hygiene center inside the library, where people could come and bathe.  Even though this is not the mission of a public library, it is in my opinion a great step forward in addressing the issue. Type of services like this one  can help these people clean up and as they say start fresh literally in search for better opportunities.

Libraries offer so much more than a place for research, for people with no home this environment is as close as it gets. It gives them a sense of security being in place that has four walls, protects them from hazardous weather conditions gives them various of useful resources. The article The Homeless in the Public Library  states “Libraries will be most successful in providing those services aligned with the general mission and purpose of libraries. For all of the other ideas of how to help those experiencing homelessness — food,clothing, personal or medical care — libraries can play an important role as partners or supporters of other service organizations.” This is what most libraries aim to do they assist the homeless using their services like workshops, for example the San Diego Library offered a type of shelter for the homeless in times of rain. During these times the library helped many patron apply for jobs and discover new opportunities.

Public libraries have not only been aiding the homeless with a safe space, but they have also been helping them with their mental health. I found this quite interesting as the curriculum to become a librarian does not include any courses on assisting people with mental health issues. Their main focus seems to be technology of library services and to be able to help patrons find information. Even though librarians don't get that specific training, according to an article by the Washington post “Across the country, libraries have developed helpful strategies for serving homeless and mentally ill patrons, and much of their  progress was driven by their personal commitment” (Stevens, 2015).  One of these methods stated in the article is to designate a member of their staff to work with homeless, that have mental health issues, by providing them with organizations and resources that can professionally help them. Other libraries such as the San Francisco, washington and philadelphia branches have gone the extra mile and even hired social workers to the homeless when it comes to mental health. This type of library involvement can help these people overcome their issues and maybe eventually better their way of living.

References:

Grace, P. (2000). No Place to Go (Except the Public Library). American Libraries, 31(5), 53-55. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/25637627

Stephens, D. C., & Gunderman, R. (2015, August 19). How libraries became the frontline of America’s homelessness crisis. Retrieved April 25, 2017, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/08/19/how-libraries-became-the-front-line-of-americas-homelessness-crisis/?utm_term=.132d2d7496f9
Simmons, R. (1985). The Homeless in the Public Library: Implications for Access to Libraries. RQ, 25(1), 110-120. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/25827508Copy