Library Engagement Programs for Patrons Experiencing Homelessness

Program Type:

Online Course
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Program Description

Event Details

Monday, August 7 – Sunday, September 17, 2023 | Six-week online course
 

What do library patrons experiencing homelessness need? A place to rest, a place to be safe, connections to service providers, and to feel welcome. The library can provide all of this and more. With homelessness on the rise, public libraries are serving unhoused patrons more than ever. 

This course will cover the current state of homelessness, how to best serve patrons who are unhoused, barriers that come up, partnering with other organizations, and how to create inclusive programs. This 6-week course focuses on serving library patrons who are experiencing homelessness and outlines comprehensive steps that can be taken to create engagement programs that offer services and resources that can directly impact and increase their well-being.

By completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the challenges that patrons experience during homelessness and use this information to develop concepts on engaging and interacting in a positive manner.
  • Analyze and research statistics related to homelessness due to health, housing, and economic issues, and apply social theories as a way to understand these issues and causes of homelessness.
  • Develop a list of partners and service providers in support of patrons experiencing homelessness.
  • Discuss inclusive engagement programs for those that are unhoused, outreach at homeless shelters, and learn about promoting homelessness awareness in the community.

Course Outline

Week 1 

  • Background, Statistics, & Issues on Homelessness

Week 2

  • Crisis of homelessness and what it means to be unsheltered and unhoused
  • Barriers & challenges for patrons that are experiencing homelessness

Week 3

  • How libraries can serve patrons experiencing homelessness

Week 4

  • Providing a safe space for patrons experiencing homelessness
  • Resources for patrons experiencing homelessness on a city/county/state level

Week 5

  • Partnerships: how to find support through outside organizations and service providers
  • Patrons experiencing homelessness engagement program planning template

Week 6 

  • Community support and homelessness awareness
  • Share homelessness engagement program plans

Kimberli S. Buckley has over fifteen years of experience in the library field working with teens and adults. She is currently the library manager at Concord Library in Contra Costa County, California. Kimberli has a passion for teaching classes on life skills for emerging adults. She teaches at San Jose State University’s School of Information and also teaches an online class called Growing Up Is Hard. She loves to be creative when it comes to library programming, and she has been known to tap into her inner unicorn to bring all her ideas to life. Kimberli has an MLIS degree from San Jose State University and an MA in consciousness studies from John F. Kennedy University.

If you have questions or requests regarding accessibility, contact us at ce@ala.org or at 312-280-5100.

Register

 

CALL Training Partner for this Event: American Library Association

Additional Information

Enrollment Statement

I understand that a space will be reserved for me in this learning opportunity at a cost to CALL, and if I am unable to attend this learning opportunity, I will cancel my enrollment as soon as possible and before the start date. 

Single Enrollment Disclaimer

I understand that I can register for only one course at a time (no concurrent courses). If I do not attend this course, I understand that I may forfeit the opportunity to enroll in additional CALL courses during this fiscal year.