The Librarian's Guide to Homelessness: An Empathy-Driven Approach to Solving Problems, Preventing Conflict, and Serving Everyone
Ryan J. Dowd
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars
4.38
· 8 ratings · 264 pages · Published: 01 Jan 2018
In this book Dowd, executive director of a homeless shelter, spotlights best practices drawn from his own shelter's policies and training materials. Filled with to-the-point guidance that will help front line public library staff and managers understand and serve this population better, this resource:
• includes facts about homelessness every librarian should know;
• debunks widespread myths about these individuals, explaining how they see themselves, what issues they struggle with, and how libraries can shift towards supporting them;
• shares de-escalation techniques like showing respect, ways to avoid making things personal, and using proper body language;
• walks readers through dealing with common issues like a sleeping patron, questionable hygiene, offensive behavior, and asking a patron to leave; and
• advises on how to provide backup to a colleague and when to call the police.
Filled with real life stories that illustrate the effectiveness of Dowd's approach, this one-of-a-kind guide will empower library staff to treat homeless individuals with dignity.