2020-04-01 Real Simple

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Assisting the homeless

Approximately 568,000 people

in the U.S. experienced homeless-

ness on a single night in 2019,

according to a report by the

Department of Housing and Urban

Development. The demand for

shelters often vastly exceeds

supply—so some libraries are fill-

ing the void with comforts as sim-

ple as heat and air-conditioning.

In response to the prevalence

of homelessness in its central Cal-

ifornia community, the San Luis

Obispo Library joined forces with

a nonprofit, Shower the People,

to host a van retrofitted with three

showers on Sunday afternoons.

The program was intended to run

for only a few months, but it was

so successful that “we decided

to continue with the partnership

indefinitely,” librarian Aracelli

Astorga says. The library invites

staff from Transitions-Mental

Health Association (TMHA) to visit

once a month and meet with any-

one who needs counseling. The

TMHA staff also teach librarians

best practices for approaching

agitated library visitors. Plus, all

services at the library are free—no

late fees!—and people without a

permanent residence can use the

address of a local homeless ser-

vices center to get a card. “Every-

one is welcome, and we convey

this message to our community,”

Astorga says. By immediately

addressing disruptive behavior,

as well as offering compassionate

care, the library is doing its best to

create a safe, dignified space for

those experiencing homelessness.

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Hosting your next event

Need a spot for your book club

or even a baby shower? Your

library might have free or low-

cost spaces for rent. Call or drop

by the front desk.

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Encouraging playtime

Children’s areas aren’t only for

storytime. They’re increasingly

being designed to promote play,

which is important for early learn-

ing and development. You’ll find

everything from interactive toys

to climbing walls.

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Offering up the offbeat

You might think you know everything your library lends out, but

have you asked what unexpected treasures are available to bor-

row? Your library could fulfill a need you didn’t even know you

had. At the public library in Keokuk, Iowa, baking aficionados can

check out cake pans in many shapes and sizes (and share their

creations with other patrons on a library-run Facebook page).

The Arlington Public Library in Virginia lists 15 American Girl dolls

in its catalog (each doll comes with a carrying case, bed, and book).

Several libraries across the country now have programs for green

thumbs to borrow, grow, and share seeds.

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Opening other doors

Your library card can be your,

ahem, ticket to museums, zoos,

botanic gardens, parks, and

more. This isn’t just a major-city

thing either (though a New York,

Chicago, or Miami public library

card can get you into many top

attractions). The Iowa Libraries

Adventure Pass Program gives

families and adults access to

museums, gardens, and a skating

rink. Rochester, New York’s

Very Important Places pass pro-

vides discounted tickets to the

city’s philharmonic and theater.

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