Libraries Should Welcome the Homeless

by Shannon Moriarty · 2009-11-03 13:45:00 UTC
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For some, a library is a place of community. For others, it's an intellectual resource. And for others, it's a lifesaver.

This short video of the downtown LA public library illustrates how important a library can be to those without a home. Not only can it meet basic needs - like providing warmth and community - it can be an important resource during difficult times.

In the past year, as the numbers of newly homeless individuals has increased, many have griped about the prevalence of homeless folks in libraries. Some have argued that libraries are even becoming a "day care center for bums."

But I think one librarian interviewed in the video said it best: libraries are a public space intended to serve everyone. This means that any and all are welcome to roam the halls and use the facilities and they treat everyone with the same amount of respect - whether they are a well-dressed businessman or a homeless person.

I find this story of the downtown LA public library and its patrons is especially moving. It illuminates the sometimes lifesaving role public libraries can play in people's lives. Sometimes, for some people, this role may even include "home."

Shannon Moriarty has worked in various homeless shelters and service organizations around the country. She is a graduate student studying housing and urban policy at Tufts University.
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