“While libraries all over the country have followed suit on eliminating fines, [Executive Director] Jones said she believes San Diego is the only library system that has a social equity component to its matching funds policy.”
Author: Lisa Gieskes
2020 Year in Review

Booklist Committee Volunteers Needed
From picture books onwards, “home” as a predictable, stable and safe place is a central subject despite a significant percentage of people who experience homelessness. These experiences are not often written about and if they are, not positively reflected in literature. To create more equitable literacy learning environments, as well as providing a counterpoint to the negative images so often created, we need opportunities to explore economic diversity and to challenge harmful discourses about people experiencing homelessness.
With this in mind, the Hunger, Homelessness and Poverty Task Force of SRRT (HHPTF) is creating a booklist of recommended books for all ages, as well as a guide to help with selecting books that are respectful and supportive of people who are experiencing homelessness.
Interested? Email us!
Get Out the Vote
HHPTF Voting Template for Libraries
Library receives $50,000 to Help with Unexpected Coronavirus Expenses
Champaign Public Library Declares No More Overdue Fines
“Best news ever. This is seriously a game changer for me. I had late fees from when I was in the hospital and wouldn’t go back because I couldn’t afford to pay them.”
Congress Considers Emergency Funding for Public Libraries
The Library Stabilization Fund Act would provide $2 billion in emergency relief funding to libraries across the country.
COVID-19 and the Global Library Field
The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession. See their key resources for libraries responding to COVID19.
Read more
Meeting the Needs of Library Communities During COVID-19
How are needs being met for people who are experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Please take this HHPTF survey. It is anonymous and your IP address will not be tracked. There are fourteen (14) questions in the survey.
Fine Free Map
The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) created an interactive map of libraries that have gone fine free (regularly updated).