Libraries and the homeless
Librarians take on many roles. Storytellers, caregivers, teachers,
advocates, protectors, informers, helpers.
This is especially true when it comes to the issue of homelessness. People are homeless for various reasons, each
with their own needs and concerns. Some
libraries are creating outreach programs to help.
The Denver Public Library has created a Peers Navigator
program. This program enlists the help
of people who have been homeless and have navigated the system to get back on
their feet. The article “Peers Navigating Social Services”, by
Ian Chant, (2017) states,
“Peer Navigators [have] ‘lived experience,’ meaning they are in recovery and have found stabilization in regards to housing, mental health, and/or substance abuse,” said DPL spokesperson Chris Henning. “The peers will meet with library customers to help them navigate the social service system in Denver and also lead peer discussion groups to increase support to vulnerable populations, such as customers experiencing homelessness.”
“Peer Navigators [have] ‘lived experience,’ meaning they are in recovery and have found stabilization in regards to housing, mental health, and/or substance abuse,” said DPL spokesperson Chris Henning. “The peers will meet with library customers to help them navigate the social service system in Denver and also lead peer discussion groups to increase support to vulnerable populations, such as customers experiencing homelessness.”
The article goes on to explain how it is often easier for the navigators
to offer support because they are more trusted by the customers because they’ve
been in their shoes.
The San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) has also found a way to
help the homeless. The article “Real
World Barriers” by Rebecca Miller, (2015), discusses how the SFPL has teamed up
with Lava Mae to provide services.
“The mobile showers that Lava Mae developed are so very direct in addressing an immediate need—a seemingly simple solution that resolves a very real problem.”
Another problem brought to the forefront is that women and girls don’t have access to menstruation products.
“Menstruation is still considered a taboo subject and can be embarrassing to learn about and manage in the best of circumstances.”
They are devising plans to distribute free tampons and pads to shelters and schools.
“The mobile showers that Lava Mae developed are so very direct in addressing an immediate need—a seemingly simple solution that resolves a very real problem.”
Another problem brought to the forefront is that women and girls don’t have access to menstruation products.
“Menstruation is still considered a taboo subject and can be embarrassing to learn about and manage in the best of circumstances.”
They are devising plans to distribute free tampons and pads to shelters and schools.
At this time not all libraries are helping with the homeless situation, but these library programs are helping their customers. They point to the most basic role of the modern day librarian; human.
-Beth Prout
-Beth Prout
Works Cited
Works Cited
Miller, Rebecca T. "Real-World Barriers." Library Journal, vol. 140, no. 16, 10/1/2015, p. 8.
EBSCOhost,
login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=10
9996174&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Chant,
Ian. "Peers Navigating Social Services." Library Journal, vol. 142, no. 6,
4/1/2017, p. 20. EBSCOhost, login.ezproxy.palomar.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=122229350&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
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