[Publib] Second Life Hype vs. Human Needs (redux)

[Robert L. Balliot]

Greetings,

 

I am not sure what is meant by the comment 'Public libraries can't "be all
things to all people".

 

Mr. Moran is trying to deal with a problem constructively.  The homeless are
visiting the central

library in 'great numbers'.  It is most likely that with the current rate of
foreclosures, their numbers 

will increase.  With social service dollars being cut back, as they have
been in Rhode Island,

it seems that there will be less to spend on helping people manage their
psychological needs.

 

The Library is the only common ground left where people who have nothing are
welcome all

the time.  It is a relatively safe environment and can provide some comfort
and security. There

is nothing else like it.  With that in mind and with failure of social
systems, it is natural for

people to gravitate to it when they have no where else to go.   So, people
with problems will

be coming to the library.  It stands to reason that more people will be
coming.

 

I do not believe that librarians are equipped to provide social services,
but I do think it makes

sense to try to have active partnerships with people who can.  It makes
sense to study how

to facilitate those services, since the library may end up being a
destination.  Saying it is

not my job does not change the social reality.  It may not be the job of the
librarian, but

we should have processes and best practices in place at a national level to
help address

the problems.

 

*************************************************

Robert L. Balliot

1-401-441-5763

Skype: RBalliot

Bristol, Rhode Island

http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm

*************************************************

  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of James Casey
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2007 4:33 PM
To: Moran, Tom; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: RE: [Publib] Second Life Hype vs. Human Needs (redux)

 

Most of the public libraries I know of --- even the big ones --- try to
avoid giving direct social work and psychological services, but maintain
contacts with social service agencies where assistance can be obtained.
Even in this age of tax cuts and shrinking social services, there are
agencies available to deliver help and even some volunteer and church
sponsored organizations.

 

Public libraries can't "be all things to all people" - many want us to
distribute tax forms, sell postage stamps, issue driver's license renewals
and conduct voter registration without a farthing of additional funding -
and it is probably wise for us to facilitate communication rather than to
stretch our limited resources beyond our service missions.  

 

Where would public libraries find the money in their already stretched
budgets to hire social work professionals?  What impact would it have on the
Library's insurance premiums to add another whole realm of human services
endeavors to those we already deliver?

 

James B. Casey  -- My own views.

Director of Oak Lawn Public Library

ALA Council Member

 

  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Moran, Tom
Sent: Tuesday, August 07, 2007 10:19 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Second Life Hype vs. Human Needs (redux)

 

The link from John Gehner on the ALA Hunger, Homelessness, and Poverty Task
Force relating to this topic brought to mind a recent suggestion from staff
that the library hire a social worker or psychiatric social worker to
develop programs and activities at the library specifically for the homeless
who tend to regularly visit the central downtown library in great numbers.
Does anyone have such a position on staff or know of an urban library that
does?

Tom Moran 
Adult Programming and Outreach Manager 
Austin Public Library 
800 Guadalupe St. 
Austin, TX 78701 
512-974-7452 

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