[Publib] A question about serving disadvantaged patrons

[Laura C. Hayden]

My library has to have some sort of verification that the patron lives 
in-county. If the person doesn't have a permanent address, a letter from 
a social service agency will work. We also need verification that the 
patron is able to receive notices. For that they can produce a P.O. box 
receipt or print out and bring in a copy of a test e-mail sent by the 
library. For the record, I've worked with maybe two patrons in this 
situation since I started at the library in October 2005.

The policy seems fair to me, but then again, I'm not familiar with any 
other library policies on the situation. The small-town library I worked 
at while I was working on my bachelor's didn't require any sort of 
verification at all; we knew pretty much everyone anyway.

-Laura

Queen Librarian wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I am interested in what your libraries' policies are when it comes to 
> granting library cards to homeless patrons, or else patrons who are 
> living in halfway houses. It seems to me that we have to walk a fine 
> line between protecting our materials from potential loss and helping 
> the portion of the population that need library services the most.
>
> So please, tell me: what practices and policies does your library 
> implement? How do you feel about this? Do you have any suggestions for 
> innovative ways in which libraries can find a solution that enables 
> disadvantaged patrons/community members to avail themselves to the 
> library?
>
> Thanks very much!
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