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.
What you say is true. We don't know what's going on with people or why they became homeless, but the best thing to do is be kind. I always think, you just never know when you or someone you care about could fall on hard times and be in that situation. Be kind.
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