D.C. Libraries: Not a Homeless Shelter, Especially in the West End

Washington City Paper: On July 18 the West End Library Friends issued a report detailing recommendations they wanted to see in any new redevelopment plans concerning this prime West End parcel.
It’s hard to be shocked by the results of a library report, but the document issued by the West End Library Friends clearly could use some sensitivity training: “Those who do use the library are older, wealthier, better educated, and less racially diverse than the general population of the District; and, therefore, the collection, programs, and services for this particular branch, like all branches, should be tailored to the population it serves.”

November 13, 2008 by Blake Uncategorized 8

effinglibrarian says:

November 13, 2008 at 3:00 pm

so they’re getting WWR? (Waltz Waltz Revolution)
and have World of WASPcraft game nights?

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Chuck says:

November 13, 2008 at 3:13 pm

further guidelines
“Ethic” patrons should be either bringing drinks to their betters or parking their cars.”

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Anonymous says:

November 13, 2008 at 3:18 pm

Issue like this are why I
Issue like this are why I left public libraries for the corporate setting. At my previous job, I felt like I was being asked to be a social worker and not a librarian. I also had concerns for the safety of myself and my coworkers. When I raised these concerns to my boss, I was told I need “more compassion.”

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Anonymous says:

November 13, 2008 at 5:52 pm

RE: “Issue [sic] like this are why I”
“Issue like this are why I left public libraries for the corporate setting. At my previous job, I felt like I was being asked to be a social worker and not a librarian. I also had concerns for the safety of myself and my coworkers. When I raised these concerns to my boss, I was told I need “more compassion.””

seems like you still might need some work on that, the corporate bubble hasn’t seemed to do that for you.

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- Anonymous says:
  
  November 13, 2008 at 7:56 pm
  
  “seems like you still might
  “seems like you still might need some work on that, the corporate bubble hasn’t seemed to do that for you”
  
  It had nothing to do with compassion. It has to do with being trained to do one type of job, then suddenly being asked to do something completely different that I was not trained for and did not want to do.
  
  Reply
  - mdoneil says:
    
    November 14, 2008 at 1:39 am
    
    I just don’t …
    I just don’t like the poor or the unwashed.
    
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Anonymous says:

November 18, 2008 at 4:15 pm

As a librarian I have become
As a librarian I have become less sympathetic to the “homeless” (mostly males with substance abuse or mental problems) library patron. In our downtown library they come in and spend the entire day and evenings lounging on all of the furniture, stinking up the building (believe me they really smell), sleeping, reading magazines or using the computer (often to get to sex sites). They have become so obnoxious that they are driving away the middle and upper class patrons whose tax dollars provide the primary support for the library. No one would allow their children to come to the library alone anymore. And recently we have witnessed a lack of support for library taxes or other library initiatives in large part because the library isn’t seen as a safe or pleasant place to go anymore. More and more of our old patrons are now heading to Barnes and Nobles where the “homeless” are not tolerated and the environment is more inviting.

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West Ender says:

November 18, 2008 at 5:19 pm

Social Services should partner with the Library
It seems that social services agencies are missing an opportunity to reach the homeless. Libraries should partner with social welfare agencies– perhaps allowing part of the library to serve as a counseling/job/mental health center, for instance– so that librarians do not have to be social workers.

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