Libraries are considered to be a safe space for many people,
especially the homeless population. Homeless people and families seek refuge in
the library for many reasons. The library is a comforting and safe place where they
can take shelter during the day, especially when weather conditions are bad. At
the library, homeless people have access to the internet and many other
resources. However, libraries serving the homeless population has been somewhat
of a controversy in the past. Whether this is because libraries deal with an
overwhelming amount of homeless people or the stigma that surrounds homeless
people, specifically mental illness and drug abuse among the homeless
population, it is still the libraries job to serve homeless people. Patrick Grace
states: “Homeless people
are not stereotypes; they are members of our society. They are men, women, and
children. They come from all national and ethnic backgrounds. They are
native-born and immigrant. They are families, single men and women, and
children on their own. And they have a right to visit and use our nation's
public libraries.”
Many
libraries have started offering programs and services specifically for homeless
people in hopes to help and better serve this group of patrons. A great example
of a library working to help the homeless population is the Dallas Public
Library. They have many programs for the homeless community in Dallas including
music and art classes, a podcast, and a H.E.L.P desk where homeless people can
go for guidance on looking for jobs, sheltering, etc. Here is a about the
services the Dallas Public Library has for homeless people :
It's important to remember that homeless people are human too. They want to seek the resources at the library just like we do and have every right to. Homeless people are some of the most loyal library users and I think the initiative libraries have been taking to support and advocate for this group is great and is a step in the right direction that our society needs.
References :
Grace, Patrick. “No Place to Go (Except the Public Library). (Cover Story).” American Libraries, vol. 31, no. 5, May 2000, p. 53. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=3072708&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
“Homeless Engagement Initiative - Dallas Public Library.” YouTube, 7 May 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBQrihuxit8.
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