Libraries and the Homeless: Safe Havens and Outreach Programs

There has always been a homeless population across the cities of the United States and globally. Nonetheless, reactions are always mixed when the topic is brought up in different areas. Some cities and their citizens want nothing to do with the homeless, much less having them in their libraries. (Smith, 1994) As I discovered in some older articles from the Opposing Viewpoints database, the attitudes were pretty vicious and nasty back then. A backlash against cities broke out for a very long time, spanning twenty years or more. (Smith, 1994)

Gradually though libraries that coordinated with health services began providing services that would help the homeless find jobs and other resources that would lead to hopefully better living conditions. (Lilienthal, 2011) There are many models created by various public libraries, San Francisco for example, that have former homeless folks working as employees that created an outreach program. (Lilienthal, 2011)

There are so many factors that lead to homelessness and it isn’t just the typical eccentrics people see on the roads who’re sometimes mumbling to themselves. (Smith, 1994) there are also the families in low-income housing that often use the library extensively because they have no other choice as to where they can gain use of technology and materials to work with. (Lilienthal, 2011)

One of the most important things I’ve gained from finding articles on this topic, is that there are so many ways of reaching out to this population. First, if they ask for information about services, don’t brush them off rudely, there are better ways of handling situations. See if they’d be willing to go into the library and talk to a librarian if you’re not one. If you know someone who has information and not in the library, direct them to that person and start something positive for them. Second, if it seems that someone is causing problems, report the situation to the librarians and don’t try to intervene doing so might escalate the tension and make things worse. Third, keep in mind that there are always complex reasons behind homelessness and even when some individuals can be rude, aggressive, and obnoxious, the majority of them are actually no different than anyone else and are trying to make their lives better.

In conclusion, when it comes to homeless being in the library just keep in mind that they’re people just like the rest of us. Most of them have serious problems behind their actions and words so try being tolerant. If it seems that a serious situation might arise, don’t personally intervene, just go to the nearest librarian and report what is going on. Overall, leave them alone because they’re doing the best that they can.

Smith, W. R. (1994). Don't stand so close to me: judges are giving neighborhoods a bum rap. Policy Review, (70), 48+. Retrieved from http://link.galegroup.com.ezproxy.palomar.edu/apps/doc/A15803045/OVIC?u=cclc_palomar&sid=OVIC&xid=9ee2aa00

References

Lilienthal, S. M. (2011). THE PROBLEM IS NOT THE HOMELESS. Library Journal, 136(11), 30-34.