The Aisle Between the Shelves is a Corridor Out of Poverty: Public Libraries and Homelessness

Abstract

Providing equitable library services means reaching out to patron groups that experience extra barriers. As a free institution open to all, public libraries offer enormous potential to be a gateway out of poverty and to help individuals & families surmount the obstacles that prevent them from engaging with their community and reaching their full potential. So what does it mean to provide library services to the homeless? This will be the topic of conversation as I share my experiences with: Advocating for policies & services that create a safe, welcoming & equitable atmosphere for all; Partnering with community organizations to deliver targeted programming both inside & outside the library; Leveraging the library’s potential as a social mixing pot to raise awareness about homelessness; Creating a “Public Libraries for Health” toolkit in collaboration with area libraries and with funding provided by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation. Participants are also invited to share their experiences, concerns and questions in what is sure to be a lively and empowering discussion.