tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296942054147310421.post516830502666048752..comments2021-08-24T23:11:23.558-05:00Comments on LIS 661: Information Ethics and Policy: Module 6 ThoughtsSarah. R.http://www.blogger.com/profile/13495338005089494192noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296942054147310421.post-63153036836625332142010-10-12T19:52:05.829-05:002010-10-12T19:52:05.829-05:00Is the homeless problem a library problem? In so f...Is the homeless problem a library problem? In so far as it is a reality that those on the job, especially in urban areas must deal with, it seems that it is, but what we need to do about is the larger debate. And who do we focus on specifically? There is no one type of problem, there is no one type of homeless person that has specific needs. <br />In Berman’s writing the homeless are largely not the same as those in Ward’s article. I got the impression that the homeless that Berman referred to were the majority of homeless, the temporary/once-in-a-lifetime homeless that Ward describes. In their case, I don’t see as big a problem. They are people looking for resources, furthering their education, seeking jobs, contacting family, networking, etc. Why would we not extend the same services to them as we would to anyone else? I think that Ward hit upon the much more difficult aspect of the problem, the mentally ill and chronically homeless. There is no good solution to this problem. Libraries and librarians are simply not equipped to deal with these issues. It is tragic and telling of the state of things when your best option is to hand the issue off to someone else who is unable to properly deal with the situation, which in these cases often means the police, but in the end what else can be done. Cronin, despite seeming entirely insensitive, is not entirely wrong (theoretically anyway), as a public service, library use and access should not be disrupted for one group by another; whether it is a mentally ill person shouting racial slurs verbally abusing Hispanic teenagers or the often unfounded and classist fears of the middleclass keeping the homeless out of the libraries. <br />I think in the end we will continue to do what we do, which is whatever can be done with the allotted resources. Those that can afford to staff a social worker, like the San Francisco Public Library (which I thought was a brilliant way to help the situation, in that “why has no one thought to do this before” sort of way), will do so (hopefully), the rest will try to help and to educate and to make things run as smoothly as possible while we all cross our fingers and wait for reforms that will provide adequate care for this too often neglected group. Librarians are not social workers, nor should they attempt to be, but anyone can help.Zach Berkleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14816981725618294017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296942054147310421.post-18394833398994508542010-10-12T01:02:33.636-05:002010-10-12T01:02:33.636-05:00Question – is it the responsibility of the library...Question – is it the responsibility of the library to change society’s perceptions of a social issue, i.e. homelessness? Is that the library’s mission.<br /><br />It is true that the library is a place of thought. A place where people may come and converse about the great ideals found within Plato, Voltaire, DesCartes, Socrates, and others. At least, that’s the romantic image; but it works, and it is generally accepted so long as said individuals to not use the library to hold rallies or other politicized activities.<br /><br />It is the libraries responsibility to inform – to bring topics to light, to get people discussing on issues. However, I do not feel it is the libraries’ responsibility, or is it within the mission, to attempt to persuade individuals to one side of the line or the other.<br /><br />The truth is, “providing information to the public” has a lot of freedom associated to it and libraries can do a lot of good within this clause. We have the ability, legally, to provide classes and database to help homeless find jobs or family members, to provide reading materials for entertainment or personal growth, to be an access point for professional contacts via reference interviews, and much more.LibraryRPGamerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13721585353795044422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4296942054147310421.post-21074215483503850762010-10-11T12:01:09.039-05:002010-10-11T12:01:09.039-05:00Great post, Katherine with lots of grist for thoug...Great post, Katherine with lots of grist for thought! <br /><br />1) Is it enough to train your staff in sensitivity or create more usable access policies? Neither of these is enough to address the issues at their core level, BUT they are both essential to operate a business (and a library is a business) effectively.<br /><br />2) Your last statement about drawing the line of advocacy and the tradeoff of personal pursuit/professional responsibility is indeed profound. I try to frame decisions within the framework of our library's mission.Kathy Clairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00696040836349835043noreply@blogger.com