“During its amnesty period in January-February, HPL cleared accounts with balances as high as $1,000 and even received three books checked out from 1992.”
Heatherwick Studio Designs “Wellbeing” Library in Maryland
“UK-headquartered architect Heatherwick Studio has designed a community library for Howard County Libraries in Maryland, USA with a focus on wellbeing and diversity.”
Long Beach Library
The public can now donate various goods and gift cards to help people who are unhoused at all city library locations and other sites throughout Long Beach.
Manhattan Public Library’s New Resource
MPL recently put together a new resource, “For Neighbors in Need,” a listing of local organizations that help those in need. This resource lists locations where people can go for assistance with food, clothing, laundry, hygiene, shelter, mental health and physical health. You can find this list at mhklibrary.org/for-neighbors-in-need, or as a handout at the Reference Desk on the second floor.
Professor Launches LGBTQIA+ Emergency Fund
“Nearly one in four transgender young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 experience homelessness, nearly double the rate of their peers, according to the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQIA+ young people.”
More ‘Freedom Libraries’ Arrive in Louisiana State Prisons: ‘If we build it, they will come’
“Unlike prison libraries, which are not accessible around the clock, the portable Freedom Libraries are housed in the dorms, allowing 24-hour access to hundreds of books.”
City Leaders Give Update on Rapid Shelter Columbia
“A new step in tackling chronic homeless in Columbia is set to open its doors in under a week.”
City Setting the Stage to Make Old Central Library a Homeless Shelter
The city has begun initial work to use a portion of the long-vacant old Central Library to shelter homeless residents.
[C-EDU] The Connected Library: Vetting and Partnering with Social Service Providers (webinar)
Date: Thursday, August 11, 2022 Time:2:00PM – 3:30PM ET
Description:
As we have witnessed the social, financial, and mental health challenges of our patrons escalate during the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries must connect and build relationships with local providers focused on these needs so that we may serve our communities as effectively as possible. This session will explore why it is imperative that libraries connect with social service providers in their communities, how to cultivate these connections, and tips to make sure the agencies you work with are effective, ethical partners.
This webinar will be recorded.
ShowerUp (a collaboration between nonprofits, the library and village hall)
“A sociologist named Patrick Sharkey coined the term, ‘collective efficacy,’ to describe how the institutions work together to create community. In that regard, [Director] Shaker said, ‘Our library team feels stupendously lucky to be operating in a community that has organizations and village staff who are so open to collaboration and idea sharing. It really makes Forest Park a great place to work in.'”