Hunger, Homelessness & Poverty Task Force – SRRT/ALA
Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association
“What’s important is that people use their libraries. We want to make sure that our community has access to the materials and services we provide,” said a statement from the BCLS. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have not charged any overdue fines so patrons had one less thing to worry about, so we are already positioned to join the many other libraries across the state who are fine free. Fines account for less than one-half of one percent of our revenues.”
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!
“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.”
The Library Stabilization Fund Act would provide $2 billion in emergency relief funding to libraries across the country.
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.
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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.
The Urban Libraries Council (ULC) created an interactive map of libraries that have gone fine free (regularly updated).
A year later, circulation has grown 1.8% citywide, with some branches seeing double-digit increases.
The Danville Public Library started Project Uplift four years ago to help people experiencing homelessness.
Project Uplift is designed to connect people with information and resources within the Danville community.
“We have around 20 organizations this year,” said Jessica Augustson, community engagement librarian.
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“We do offer library cards for displaced persons,” she said.