Seminar in Public Libraries - overlooked user groups

Additional resources for the homeless topic

• ALA Policy about Library Services for the Poor
• NPR Talk of the Nation: Homeless Season
  • Chip Ward answers callers' questions
  • 17 min. (you'll need RealPlayer)
• Homeless People in the Library: Legal Issues
  • This is a webcast you can view (though it may not work on a Mac) but you can also just view the powerpoint, which is pretty interesting
• Harvey, Aisha A. Homeless perspectives of the public library
  • Pages 17-46 contain the interviews
• Hunger, Homelessness, and Poverty Task Force

The homeless - an overlooked user group

Articles to read:

1. Ward, Chip. America Gone Wrong: A Slashed Safety Net Turns Libraries into Homeless Shelters
2. Jackson, Joshua. Finding a Home in the Library: Services for the Homeless
3. Gehner, John and Kali Freeman. Just a Little Understanding: A Social Service Provider's Perspective on Homeless Library Users

Questions to consider:

1. When it comes to "serving the public" should libraries cater to homeless patrons or simply tolerate them?
2. What problems arise from developing programs and services specifically targeted towards the homeless?
3. When is it okay to ask someone to leave the library?
4. Do you think there is enough of a partnership between librarians and social services when it comes to the homeless?

• slides used in session

Public library service for the blind and physically handicapped

• Lara Handler, Outreach and Volunteer Services Librarian, from the North Carolina Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped will speak to us about service to this user group
• Lara's slides