Library Spaces and the Homeless

    Many people across the globe face homelessness, and as such might lack a basic safety net to fall back on when times get tough. Naturally, these individuals utilize public spaces, as they are not likely to get kicked out for existing within them peacefully.

    Historical, libraries could exclude homeless individuals based on unappealing aspects that may stem from homelessness, such as having a bad stench due to lack of access of places to do proper hygiene. Although this ended when in 1990s, a federal judge ruled otherwise. According to the New York Times, Judge H. Lee Sarokin, will continue the "... upholding the library's rules banning patrons without shirts or shoes, he said that other rules were too vague or broad, including ones barring patrons who are not reading, studying or using library materials, who harass or annoy others through noisy activities or by staring, or whose "bodily hygiene is so offensive" that it is a nuisance to others," (New York Times, 1991). This is something that ensured that libraries could not kick out the homeless, especially as many of them rely on the libraries where they live  as a safe space to exist, or to even escape the elements.

    Naturally, not every library nor their staff uphold the idea of ousting homeless individuals due to them being seen as "offensive" to other patrons. In fact, many want to assist and help them by giving them a better safety network to fall back on. This is due to the fact we as libraries, prefer to assist and help our wider community, and avoiding them would only cause issues. Although, there is some hesitation, especially after that recent ruling there was worries of loss of patrons. One faculty worker was interviewed in 2016 regarding the conflict of funding for such, where "Sarabeth Kalajian, director of the Sarasota County library, echoed concerns that governments are dumping too many of their responsibilities onto libraries while simultaneously slashing their budgets," (Washington Post, 2016). This is a natural worry as libraries depend on federal and state funding to continue, especially as these funds are directly used for the growth and development of the library and its programs. When budgets given by these governments become less, programs will have to be lessoned or cut all together. This can affect those who do programs for the homeless, who might find themselves without these life-saving programs they need.

    From this, it is important to recognize the importance of the function of the library in helping homeless individuals and the wider community. Although there is some pushback especially in fear regarding of losing patrons due to society's biases towards the homeless, or fear of budgeting issue resulting in programs being cut. If anything, these conflicts should not be a deterrent from visiting a library, anyone could become homeless at any moment for reason, such as natural disasters, addiction, mental illness and much more. Instead, we, as in both patron and staff, should be understanding despite one's circumstances and allow them to use public spaces as intended as is.

Worked Cited

"What happens when libraries are asked to help the homeless find shelter." Washingtonpost.com, 27 Jan. 2016. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A441566076/OVIC?u=cclc_palomar&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=188d636d. Accessed 15 May 2026.

Hanley, Robert. "Libraries Can't Ban the Homeless, U.S. Court in Newark Rules." New York Times, 23 May 1991. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A175198385/OVIC?u=cclc_palomar&sid=bookmark-OVIC&xid=ae2275fa. Accessed 15 May 2026.