Comments on: Question of the Week: winter human services @ your library http://blog.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/2007/11/16/question-of-the-week-winter-human-services-your-library/ WebJunction's niche in the blogosphere Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:43:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Emily http://blog.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/2007/11/16/question-of-the-week-winter-human-services-your-library/comment-page-1/#comment-65867 Emily Wed, 16 Jan 2008 21:37:35 +0000 http://blog.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/2007/11/16/question-of-the-week-winter-human-services-your-library/#comment-65867 I just saw this from American Libraries, and thought it fit with this discussion: Libraries balance patrons, homeless http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080114/METRO01/801140337/1410/METRO01 "Across Metro Detroit, libraries function as cooling centers when it's too hot and warming centers when it's cold, resource centers to find out about shelters and other programming, and an online portal with which to apply for Social Security, income tax refunds and other benefits that branches of government offer online." I just saw this from American Libraries, and thought it fit with this discussion:

Libraries balance patrons, homeless
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080114/METRO01/801140337/1410/METRO01

“Across Metro Detroit, libraries function as cooling centers when it’s too hot and warming centers when it’s cold, resource centers to find out about shelters and other programming, and an online portal with which to apply for Social Security, income tax refunds and other benefits that branches of government offer online.”

]]> By: Jen http://blog.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/2007/11/16/question-of-the-week-winter-human-services-your-library/comment-page-1/#comment-49362 Jen Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:33:28 +0000 http://blog.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/2007/11/16/question-of-the-week-winter-human-services-your-library/#comment-49362 In the vein of human services for patrons especially, it always seems like a good time to: -Brush up on addresses of local shelters, venues/dates/times for free holiday dinners -Reminder of hotlines for those dealing with depression or considering suicide -Make sure you're participating as a drop off for local food and toy drives -Think about any opportunities to bring staff together for any community volunteer opportunities (serving at a soup kitchen, story time in a family shelter). The other thing that's come up for me as a parent of elementary aged kids, is the need for books and other resources to address questions coming up about homelessness. I found one called This Home We Have Made that was helpful. I'm wondering if anyone has strategies for engaging all ages in our library communities around homelessness and other health and human needs. Realizing that a display would be good at this time of year! In the vein of human services for patrons especially, it always seems like a good time to:
-Brush up on addresses of local shelters, venues/dates/times for free holiday dinners
-Reminder of hotlines for those dealing with depression or considering suicide
-Make sure you’re participating as a drop off for local food and toy drives
-Think about any opportunities to bring staff together for any community volunteer opportunities (serving at a soup kitchen, story time in a family shelter).

The other thing that’s come up for me as a parent of elementary aged kids, is the need for books and other resources to address questions coming up about homelessness. I found one called This Home We Have Made that was helpful. I’m wondering if anyone has strategies for engaging all ages in our library communities around homelessness and other health and human needs. Realizing that a display would be good at this time of year!

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