Homeless support through public library services
THE Reading Agency and Libraries Connected have released a new report looking into how libraries are helping to support people with no fixed abode. During last year’s CILIP Libraries Week, which had the theme “Taking Action, Changing Lives”, the two organisations held a panel discussion on how public library services could provide help for people without a permanent home. The panel included Lord Bird MBE, the founder of The Big Issue, who raised the prospect of a new homelessness crisis on the back of Covid-19 and the financial disruption it has caused for many. The Local Govern- ment Association has estimated that up to 400,000 people could be living without a fixed address. Now a joint report has been published to highlight some of the work that is being done in public libraries, and to offer a way forward for more libraries to get involved.
The report, Library and sector support
of people living with no fixed abode: Research review, says: “Systematically disadvantaged groups experience per- sistent inequalities in access to services. In 2020, the resulting closures and staff- ing shortages from the Covid-19 pandem- ic exacerbated these difficulties related to access. Libraries help to fill this gap, offering local support and outreach. “Libraries are a central place of trust within a community; nurturing partner- ships between libraries and other volun- tary sector organisations and homelessness charities also allows for enhanced library staff understanding of the often-unmet needs of this community, how best to support them and enables engagement with the benefits of reading and the pub- lic library space.” The report found that library services supported people in a variety of ways –
from improving mental health and well- being by giving people access to books and reading material and the opportuni- ty for social and cultural interactions, to practical support through training and digital access. It also found that a number of library services had introduced spe- cific policies to reduce barriers to library membership and that these were also vital in improving access and engagement. Looking ahead, the report calls for pub-
lic libraries to deliver in four key areas – universal access; skills development; mental health and wellbeing support; cul- tural and social engagement; and support with basic needs. The full report can be downloaded at
https://bit.ly/3ppxbiX, and there will be a free discussion and workshop event on 22 March from 4-5pm. To register for Home- lessness and the library sector: discussion and workshop, visit
https://bit.ly/3K1u0WD.
March 2022
INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 9
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