Anderson, K.A., Simpson, C.D. & Fisher, G. (2012). 'The ability of public library staff to help homeless people in the United States: exploring relationships,roles and potential', Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, 20(2). 177-90

Interesting to see that in 2012 we were not using person-centred language - homeless patrons was the term used. People experiencing homelessness were described as having 'special needs', as having needs specifically relating to 'emotional and physical wellbeing'. They are described as presenting 'a range of needs and concerns', as having 'complex needs' and that they are a 'challenge' for librarians to work with. That these challenges are 'disruptive to library operations'. "Serving the needs of homeless people calls for library staff to be especially responsive, resourceful and creative."p.178.

It will be interesting to see if this negative lens and discourse alters over time to recognise that maybe people experiencing homeless or insecure housing actually don't have needs specific to their accommodation status. Maybe they are not a 'challenge'. Maybe they just want what everyone else wants - somewhere quiet to sit and read, somewhere to hang out with others, somewhere safe. 

The article states the following about the needs of people experiencing homelessness that libraries are called upon to meet:

"homeless patrons have been found to have distinct needs when using public libraries, including shelter and safety, information on resources and social services, social inclusion and support, legal information, access to the internet, and assistance with employment searches'' p.178

I will be interested to learn about what this community identifies as their own needs and if these differ from what libraries assume they need.

The authors claim: "Unfortunately, the view of homeless people as problem patrons – disruptive, odorous, aggressive and dangerous – is one that is held by many library staff and other library patrons.

Is this true? I would like to survey all Australian library staff to test their opinions of patrons they identify (rightly or wrongly) as homeless.

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