We’ve just added a “Basic Needs” category to our Resources area. Librarians and low-income people can use the compiled links to find:
- community services referral
- child care
- food assistance
- health care
- legal help
- mental health care
- substance abuse treatment
- and more!
Does your library Web site contain information tailored to the needs of low-income people? Are you looking for examples? Try the New York Public Library’s Community Information page.
The Santa Cruz Public Libraries system has managed a Community Information Database (CID) since 1990. Some context on how it was created:
[The CID] was first developed in 1987. The database was a cooperative effort between five public agencies: Santa Cruz County Human Resources Agency, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, United Way, Watsonville Public Library, and the Santa Cruz City-County Library. Funding was provided through a Library Services and Construction Act grant. The goal was to develop a comprehensive database of human service resources available to people in Santa Cruz County.
Who is collecting and distributing information like this in your area? And how can your library play a part?
For potential answers to these questions, consult Information Behavior in Everyday Contexts (IBEC), a research program of The Information School at the University of Washington:
http://ibec.ischool.washington.edu