Link to February 20 Los Angeles Times article, "Libraries dealing with homeless try new approaches; San Francisco hires a social worker".
Excerpt: Every day, when the main library opens, John Banks is waiting to get inside. He finds a spot and stays until closing time. Then his wheelchair takes him back to the bus terminal where he spends his nights.
Like many homeless public library patrons, all Banks wants is a clean, safe place to sit in peace. He doesn't want to talk to anyone. He doesn't want anyone to talk to him. But the day he decides he wants help, he knows what to do: ask for the social worker.
The main branch of the San Francisco Public Library, where hundreds of homeless people spend every day, is the first in the country to keep a full-time social worker on hand, according to the American Library Association.
Related articles:
Library adds social worker to assist homeless. (SFGate.com, 1/11/2010)
America Gone Wrong: A Slashed Safety Net Turns Libraries into Homeless Shelters. (alternet.org, 4/2/2007)
Don't Book 'Em: A new library program tries to gently ease the homeless problem out the door. (SFweekly.com, 12/26/2006)
Like many homeless public library patrons, all Banks wants is a clean, safe place to sit in peace. He doesn't want to talk to anyone. He doesn't want anyone to talk to him. But the day he decides he wants help, he knows what to do: ask for the social worker.
The main branch of the San Francisco Public Library, where hundreds of homeless people spend every day, is the first in the country to keep a full-time social worker on hand, according to the American Library Association.
Related articles:
Library adds social worker to assist homeless. (SFGate.com, 1/11/2010)
America Gone Wrong: A Slashed Safety Net Turns Libraries into Homeless Shelters. (alternet.org, 4/2/2007)
Don't Book 'Em: A new library program tries to gently ease the homeless problem out the door. (SFweekly.com, 12/26/2006)
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