Libraries and Homelessness

http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/news/vosd-overheard-new-library-old-tensions/

Libraries have become save havens for many homeless populations around the U.S. and even the world.  As one of the many public places a community holds, the library allows any community member access to the resources inside.  This however brings along with it controversy as some members of the community and library administrators believe that homeless patrons make the library feel like less of a haven and more like a shelter.  Due to this opinion, it is important for libraries to take a strong stance on policies that include open access to all community members and provide materials and programs that meet the needs of all patrons.  As with any public place commonplace rules should be established and followed by all patrons no matter who they are.  Most patrons have little concern with who has access and more concern with their behavior.  A patron who makes loud whistling noises while they read can threaten a safe haven feel just as easily as a patron who may look a little rough around the edges.  The great thing about libraries is that they allow their patrons access to resources, materials, and information that they would not have otherwise.  It is unlikely that any patron would come to library for anthing less than this.  This includes any members of the homeless community.

When talking about places he felt safe, Luke (49-year-old Pakeha) stated: “Only in the library. Not only because I’ve been a constant reader and studier throughout my life, but also because I know about four or five people who work in the library ... I always have someone to chat with ... I gave myself a personal meaning, a social significance, a personal value by not allowing my situation to dominate my desire to carry on certain areas of my life unchanged. Like my constant desire to learn. And to research and to communicate. That’s always been important to me throughout my life. So it was important that when I became homeless I didn’t lose those. They were intrinsic to my core nature. And a lot of homeless people run the risk of losing that core.” (Hodgetts, pg. 945)

Hodgetts, D., Stolte, O., Chamberlain, K., Radley, A., Nikora, L., Nabalarua, E., & Groot, S. (2008). A trip to                the library: homelessness and social inclusion. Social & Cultural Geography, 9(8), 933-953.