Public Libraries Serving Homeless Populations:
Exemplars and Resources
Public libraries serving homeless populations often face a unique set of challenges and questions. How do they best meet information and other needs of this vulnerable community? What needs are being unmet, and how can the library tap into its budget or community partners to meet those needs? How can they maintain the safety and comfort of all patrons and staff? This collection of exemplars and resources attempts to answer these questions by looking to the work currently being done by public libraries across the United States.
The exemplars listed are by no means exhaustive, but they represent some of the innovative approaches public libraries are taking to address the needs of their specific populations. While some may focus their efforts more on specific subsets of the homeless population, such as children and families or those suffering from mental illnesses and addiction, most take a comprehensive approach to making sure that they are helping their homeless patrons access the resources needed to meet not just their basic needs for food and shelter, but their needs for literacy, healthcare, job support, legal aid, social and emotional connection.
The resources collected come from research performed by library associations, library professionals and scholars, and community partners. Here you can find basic guidelines as well as resources that are more targeted towards particular populations, including families, children, and veterans, and specific guidance for serving homeless patrons during the COVID-19 pandemic.
