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Libraries and homelessness : an action guide

2021

Format:	Book
Author:	Winkelstein, Julie Ann, author.
Title:	Libraries and homelessness : an action guide / Julie Ann Winkelstein.
Publisher, Date:	Santa Barbara, California : Libraries Unlimited, an imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC, [2021] ©2021
Description:	xii, 267 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm
Summary:	"Advocating a strategic approach, this book shows how to form a plan, secure funding and support, and create effective programs for adults, children, and youth who are experiencing homelessness. You'll find guidance for creating partnerships, training staff, and advocating"-- Provided by publisher.
Subjects:	Libraries and the homeless -- United States. Libraries and community -- United States. Homelessness -- United States. Public services (Libraries) -- United States. Homeless persons -- Services for -- United States.
Genre:	Informational works.
Notes:	Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents:	About the experience of homelessness -- The library's role : then and now -- Needs of community members experiencing homelessness -- Creating an action plan -- Partnerships, funding, and staff training -- Traditional and new programs and services.
Additional Physical Form	Online version: Winkelstein, Julie Ann. Libraries and homelessness Santa Barbara, California : Libraries Unlimited, [2021] 9781440862793 (DLC) 2020052577
LCCN:	2020052576
ISBN:	9781440862786 1440862788
Other Number:	1242018425
System Availability:	1
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Library Journal Review

The two most powerful ways that libraries can address homelessness, writes former public librarian Winkelstein, are by partnering with other organizations and hearing directly from those who are most impacted. The information in this book is valuable: statistics, a history of how libraries have handled homelessness, and current trends. Finkelstein includes stories from library users and nonusers and examples of actions that libraries can take, both short-term (holding voter registration at the library) and long-term (sending bookmobiles to homeless shelters). The section on creating an action plan includes listing the library's assets, writing a vision statement, considering potential barriers, and addressing resistance. The focus on youth and LGTBGQ+ users is particularly strong. Appendixes include an extensive glossary, a library staff survey, an example of a grant proposal, responses from social workers, and much more. VERDICT Essential for every library's staff collection. An excellent resource not only for libraries but also for government, social service organizations, schools, and religious congregations.--Susan Belsky, Oshkosh P.L., WI

Booklist Review

Many people experience homelessness sometime in their lifetime, and libraries constitute one public agency that may be impacted--and can help. Winkelstein has broad expertise in the issues of homelessness, especially with regard to associated library roles. She has worked as a public librarian, taught this subject to librarians, and written about this issue for the profession. The book first provides an over on homelessness, covering the experiences of several subgroups, perceptions, and statistics; it also notes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Winkelstein suggests employing a supportive, respectful, trauma-informed approach to address this social issue. The following chapters cover library policy, the needs of people experiencing homelessness and what actions libraries can take, and compassion fatigue. Next, Winkelstein discusses how to create an action plan to meet informational, physical, emotional and practical needs of those experiencing homelessness; youth-specific needs are also addressed. She also covers issues of funding, partnerships, and staff training, and provides sample action plans. Fourteen appendices provide self-assessment tools, planning tools, social worker information, and relevant policies and guidelines. A glossary and index conclude the volume. The author's writing is clear and practical, well-researching and caring. Black-and-white images and ample perspectives of individuals experiencing homelessness dot the chapters, giving readers concrete evidence. Society will probably always include people with shelter insecurities, and libraries can serve as safe, informative, and supporting institutions for them. While the target readership is the public librarian, it behooves all librarians to become mindful of this social issue and provide appropriate resources and services.

Summary

Advocating a strategic approach, this book shows how to form a plan, secure funding and support, and create effective programs for adults, children, and youth who are experiencing homelessness. You'll find guidance for creating partnerships, training staff, and advocating.

Taking a holistic approach that will help you to better understand the experience of homelessness within the context of your library community, this book offers new strategies and tools for addressing the challenge of meeting the needs of the entire community, including those who are unstably housed. With basic facts, statistics, and conversations about homelessness, the author makes a case for why libraries should provide support, explains exactly which needs they may be able (or unable) to meet, and shows how this support can be a natural part of the library services you already provide.

Topics discussed include trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and mental and physical health challenges; brief stories and concrete examples illustrate the principles and guidelines discussed. Citing innovative services such as Dallas Public Library's "coffee and conversation" program and San Francisco Public Library's social worker program, the book offers both food for thought and tools for action as public librarians strive to understand and meet the needs of a population that has traditionally been stereotyped and excluded.

Table of Contents

	Acknowledgments	p. ix
	Introduction	p. xi
1	About the Experience of Homelessness	p. 1
2	The Library's Role: Then and Now	p. 43
3	Needs of Community Members Experiencing Homelessness	p. 57
4	Creating an Action Plan	p. 89
5	Partnerships, Funding, and Staff Training	p. 117
6	Traditional and New Programs and Services	p. 131
	Conchision	p. 185
Appendix A	Glossary and Related Terms	p. 187
Appendix B	Action Planning Tool	p. 210
Appendix C	Library Staff Survey	p. 211
Appendix D	Creating a Dream Plan to Address Community Homelessness	p. 214
Appendix E	Planning a Fair	p. 216
Appendix F	Tips for Community Service Providers/Social Workers	p. 218
Appendix G	Recommended Resources	p. 223
Appendix H	Emergency Resource Guide (Central Arkansas Library System)	p. 233
Appendix I	Library Self-Assessment Checklist	p. 235
Appendix J	Lavamae × COVID-19 Prevention Kits	p. 239
Appendix K	American Library Association Policy B.8.10 and Policy B.8.10.1 (Old 61 and 61.1)	p. 240
Appendix L	Responses from Social Workers	p. 243
Appendix M	Guidelines for Selecting Books for Young People	p. 248
Appendix N	Example of Library Social Worker Proposal	p. 250
	Index	p. 255

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