Libraries have become havens for many people from many different walks of life. At the Santa Monica Public Library, its has particularly become a haven for the homeless. In A Haven for the Homeless, the author dives into the homeless crisis in Santa Monica as well as the Orange/LA counties. The calm beach city of Santa Monica has been a forever growing home to the homeless. With amenities like air conditioning, comfortable chairs, drinking water, and public restrooms, the library has become a place of respite for the homeless looking for a few hours off the streets.
In order to promote a safe and healthy environment, the has hired a social worker. Social work like job aid and housing are things requested most by the homeless community. In addition, the library is hosting resource fairs for the homeless to point them in the direction of city services including veteran services and mental health care. Training library staff in social areas have increased due to library staff feeling they are ill-equipped to handle the needs of the homeless community. Training in mental health issues, and role-playing scenarios. While library staff know that they won't have all the right answers, instilling the confidence needed in order to be able to handle these difficult situations makes a world of difference.
The library can't take care of the homeless population in Santa Monica all by itself and still heavily relies on the city's help with larger projects of homeless outreach. Training and programs will take time to make an impact on the city, but they will be a large stepping stone into helping a community that needs it the most.
Works Cited
Segal, Elizabeth. “A Haven for the Homeless.” U.S. News - The Report, May 2018, pp. C10–C13. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=129580573&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
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