I have very much enjoyed the conversation. Obviously, like homelessness itself, it is a complex issue for libraries to address. I recall one of my favorite library blogs: In the Library with the Lead Pipe had a post on this topic a few years back which might be of interest to some:<div>
<div>Welcoming the Homeless Into Libraries: <a href="http://www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/2010/welcoming-the-homeless-into-libraries/">http://www.inthelibrarywiththeleadpipe.org/2010/welcoming-the-homeless-into-libraries/</a></div>
<div><br></div><div><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 4:39 PM, Zaborowski, Lindsay A. <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:lindsay.prescott@pacificu.edu" target="_blank">lindsay.prescott@pacificu.edu</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">Hello Kirsten,<br>
<br>
What an interesting discussion you have sparked! I was talking it over with one of my student workers, and she suggested that you could perhaps have a 'holds' area where those people who cannot provide the information needed to get a library card can have books held for a certain amount of time, so that they can revisit the book without having to worry about another patron checking it out and removing it from the library. That way, they can have access to the book for the normal checkout period, but it never leaves the physical library location. I don't know how well this could work, but it seems like a way to give them most of the regular privileges while keeping account of library property.<br>
<br>
Lindsay<br>
------------------------------------------------------------------------<br>
Lindsay Prescott Zaborowski, MA, MSIS, '07 | Project Manager | Washington County Heritage Online<br>
Pacific University | 2043 College Way | Forest Grove, OR 97116<br>
p: <a href="tel:503.645.5353%20x108" value="+15036455353">503.645.5353 x108</a> | <a href="http://washingtoncountymuseum.org" target="_blank">washingtoncountymuseum.org</a> | <a href="mailto:lindsay.prescott@pacificu.edu">lindsay.prescott@pacificu.edu</a><br>
<br>
Go Boxers! | 1.877.PAC.UNIV | <a href="http://www.pacificu.edu" target="_blank">www.pacificu.edu</a><br>
<br>
Pacific University is committed to sustainability. Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail.<br>
<div class="im"><br>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: <a href="mailto:libs-or-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us">libs-or-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us</a><mailto:<a href="mailto:libs-or-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us">libs-or-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us</a>> [mailto:<a href="mailto:libs-or-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us">libs-or-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us</a><mailto:<a href="mailto:libs-or-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us">libs-or-bounces@listsmart.osl.state.or.us</a>>] On Behalf Of Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney<br>
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2012 3:43 PM<br>
</div><div class="im">To: <a href="mailto:libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us">libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us</a><mailto:<a href="mailto:libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us">libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us</a>><br>
Subject: [Libs-Or] Library cards for homeless/those without permanent address<br>
<br>
We're currently exploring ways to better serve our transient population here in Lincoln City. In the past we have worked out cards for individuals staying at a nearby domestic violence shelter, and we allow anyone to make use of our computers, but I would like to set up something more permanent and wide-ranging that would allow individuals without a permanent address to better access library services.<br>
<br>
We have some ideas here on staff, but I would be very interested in hearing how other libraries have tackled this. What kinds of requirements do you have in order to obtain a card? Do cards for those without permanent address have the same borrowing privileges, or modified privileges? Have you experienced a great deal of material loss, or no? I suspect I may have to work pretty hard to get 100% buy-in from my board and from staff, so any information you've got would be great!<br>
<br>
Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney<br>
Library Director<br>
Driftwood Public Library<br>
801 SW HWY 101, #201<br>
Lincoln City, OR 97367<br>
</div><a href="tel:%28541%29996-1251" value="+15419961251">(541)996-1251</a><tel:%28541%29996-1251><br>
<a href="mailto:kbrodbeck-kenney@lincolncity.org">kbrodbeck-kenney@lincolncity.org</a><mailto:<a href="mailto:kbrodbeck-kenney@lincolncity.org">kbrodbeck-kenney@lincolncity.org</a>><br>
<div class="HOEnZb"><div class="h5"><br>
<br>
<br>
_____________________________________________________<br>
Libs-Or mailing list<br>
<a href="mailto:Libs-Or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us">Libs-Or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us</a><br>
<a href="http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/mailman/listinfo/libs-or" target="_blank">http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/mailman/listinfo/libs-or</a><br>
Hosted by the Oregon State Library. The Library is not responsible for content.<br>
Questions related to message content should be directed to list owner(s) or the sender of the message, by phone or email.<br>
Technical questions? Call <a href="tel:503-378-8800" value="+15033788800">503-378-8800</a>.<br>
</div></div></blockquote></div><br></div></div>