Mariekie Barone, Stacie Fifelski, Alexandra Stocker, Thomas Worm, Ashley Patterson, Jessica Braamse, & Robert S. Lathers. Developing a Model Policy for Public Libraries to Address Homelessness & Mental Illness

Barone, M., Fifelski, S., Stocker, A., Worm, T., Patterson, A., Braamse, J., & Lathers, R. S. (2020). Developing a Model Policy for Public Libraries to Address Homelessness & Mental Illness. Delaware Journal of Public Health, 6(4), 46.

This US article describes a student project that set out to develop policy for libraries to frame their support of people experiencing homelessness and mental illness (interesting to lump these together). As part of their project they ran a survey that had 60 responses. Each library was asked: 

  • What specific policies were in place that pertain directly to individuals experiencing homelessness? 
  • What was the general experience of front line staff with the homeless population? 
  • What type of training did they receive in this area?
  • Did their branch(es) had a social worker on site and what community collaborations were in place to better serve the homeless population?
One part of the article mentions -'a trauma-informed approach to working with patrons'. This idea of 'trauma-informed' work keeps coming up, and one that seems to be based on some formal training that then allows staff to see patrons through a lens other than that of being a 'problem' or a 'challenge'.

Another idea mentioned in this article that keeps coming up in my reading is the imperative of connecting with other organisations - either within the library buildings in 'pop-up service showcase days' or external to the library buildings but located with other service providers. The benefits of being seen to be part of a community of care is that it normalises the library as a place that is for all people, including those without housing, and it allows the library to spruik itself by going to the community, rather than needing the community to come to them.

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