From Nuisances to Neighbors

Abstract

Public libraries have found themselves, often reluctantly, on the frontline of homelessness. By virtue of being temperature-controlled public spaces with free internet access, libraries provide daytime shelter for thousands of patrons experiencing homelessness. Sometimes considered “problem patrons,” persons experiencing homelessness are at times unfairly targeted by library policies. Violations create the potential for police involvement and arrest, and may contribute to the criminalization of homelessness. Simultaneously, a trend is beginning to emerge of libraries providing or co-locating social services for persons experiencing homelessness. As library services expand, schools of social work have the opportunity to lend both their research and practice expertise. Specifically, schools of social work have the opportunity to partner with public libraries to conduct localized needs assessments of persons experiencing homelessness. Needs assessments should include the direct surveying of patrons, including those experiencing homelessness, to make sure resulting recommendations for library programs and services will be inclusive of all patrons.

What knowledge and attitudes inform public librarians’ interactions with library patrons in crisis?

“…Public libraries grapple with supporting patrons experiencing crises on a daily basis. Crises of housing and homelessness have a long history of appearing among library patrons (Provence, 2018; Wahler et al, 2020; Winkelstein and Cortez, 2010). Patron crises related to mental health (Torrey et al, 2009; Wahler et al, 2020) and substance use (Wahler et al, 2020) have increased over several decades with changes in policies related to deinstitutionalization, and recently, the US opioid crisis.…”

“…New types of knowledge and skills are therefore needed within libraries to address the changing needs of patrons. Some of these needs can be addressed under the traditional knowledge and skills of librarians, but other needs might be best addressed through interdisciplinary collaborations, such as with on-site or on-call social workers (Provence, 2018; Wahler et al, 2020) or emergency services. In between patron needs that can clearly be addressed by librarians and those which must be addressed by other professionals is a gray area.…”

“…Overall, when librarians have held negative attitudes towards and stereotypes of persons experiencing crises, the result has been discriminatory policies and practices against such individuals (Giesler, 2017; Provence, 2018), with unequal enforcement (Hersberger, 2005; Provence, 2018). Specifically, library responses to homelessness have been examined closely in the literature.…”

“…Specifically, library responses to homelessness have been examined closely in the literature. In the 1980s, librarians viewed patrons experiencing homelessness variously as “harmless nuisances” or “problem patrons” who caused problems for “normal patrons”—although not all “problem patrons” were homeless (Dowd, 1996; Provence, 2018). While Ferrell (2010) suggests some methods for intervention, the focus is predominantly on building skills and knowledge, with some limited attention given to addressing attitudes.…”

Social Workers and Public Libraries

“…Schools of social work have brought both practice and research capacity to support libraries in their efforts to enhance social services programming and access to resources by supporting community needs assessments, information and referral, and outreach (Provence, 2018). As many library social workers have come on board to assist with supporting homeless and other disadvantaged patrons (Aykanian et al, 2020), social work interns have also been added at libraries to assist these populations and others.…”