Wong, Y. (2009). Homelessness in public libraries. Journal of Access Services,
6(3), 396-410 doi: 10.1080/15367960902908599
6(3), 396-410 doi: 10.1080/15367960902908599
Review on Homelessness in Public Libraries
This article focused on situations of homelessness and public libraries:
“Homeless users are not problem patrons by default. They belong to one of the
underserved user groups who deserve to be treated with respect. It is imperative that
libraries should implement proactive steps to meet the needs of homeless users
without compromising the needs of other users” (Wong, 2009, p.398). After reading
this article, I thought of my experiences and how there is many public libraries
trying to handle all different kinds of patrons; but the stereotype of homeless people
still exists within public libraries. Why? Unfortunately, other people within libraries
judge and have a lack of sympathy. Wong points out that not all patrons and staff
believe these stereotypes.“Homeless people are often persons with mental illness,
persons suffering from addiction disorders, victims of domestic violence, or the
unemployed. Homelessness comes in all shapes and sizes: children, families,
men, women, and people from diverse ethnicities” (2009, p.400). These three
issues: homelessness, mental illness, and substance abusers overlap. I’ve dealt
with many patrons that have these issues, if not all. In the article, Wong discusses
more in detail about these issues and the information needs of these
people, for example “transportation”, “housing”, “health”, etc.
“Homeless users are not problem patrons by default. They belong to one of the
underserved user groups who deserve to be treated with respect. It is imperative that
libraries should implement proactive steps to meet the needs of homeless users
without compromising the needs of other users” (Wong, 2009, p.398). After reading
this article, I thought of my experiences and how there is many public libraries
trying to handle all different kinds of patrons; but the stereotype of homeless people
still exists within public libraries. Why? Unfortunately, other people within libraries
judge and have a lack of sympathy. Wong points out that not all patrons and staff
believe these stereotypes.“Homeless people are often persons with mental illness,
persons suffering from addiction disorders, victims of domestic violence, or the
unemployed. Homelessness comes in all shapes and sizes: children, families,
men, women, and people from diverse ethnicities” (2009, p.400). These three
issues: homelessness, mental illness, and substance abusers overlap. I’ve dealt
with many patrons that have these issues, if not all. In the article, Wong discusses
more in detail about these issues and the information needs of these
people, for example “transportation”, “housing”, “health”, etc.
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