Reply to Is it illegal for public libraries to ban homeless and drug addicts?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]What’s sad is that people are viewed as rodents, pests and animals and not actual human beings.

Public libraries alllw anyone and everyone.  Yes, that includes individuals who are homeless.  If there is a behavior exhibited that breaks a rule or code of conduct they will be removed just as anyone else would be.  There very presence isn’t doing anyone any damage.  Teach your child empathy, if you can.

Your comfort level isn’t more important than their right to exist.  They are people.

I lived in a college town for 5 years.  Our library was amazing and expansive and on any day you’d see many unsheltwred people within the walls.  I brought my kids, no issues.  Never did I feel unsafe.  Never did I see any problems.

Sometimes libraries are the only place where a person can escape the elements.  Homeless shelters are often closed ruing the day or are understaffed.  Would you prefer they freeze to death.  I bet I know the answer. [/quote]

I'm glad your experience was good, but in Carroll County, MD where I live, there is one library where a sizable group of homeless people regularly harrass patrons, discard needles, and have OD'ed in the library.  My friend is a librarian here and she and her colleagues are often threatened.  The librarians have been taught to use Naloxone, which is kept on site.  Where my mother lives in Baltimore County, MD, groups of homeless and mentally ill people regularly yell and curse inside, and hang outside the library entrance smoking.

I don't want anyone to freeze to death or be shunned for being homeless, but sometimes the reason a person is homeless is also the reason that that person has issues that would require them to be banned from a public space for the good of other patrons.  People shouldn't feel afraid or hesitant to use a public space because they fear harrassment.  I think in Carroll County's case, the aren't good support services for the homeless, addicted, and mentally ill, so the library has become their default.  I would guess that's the case in many places because we generally don't do a good job of taking care of people who need help.  It's a shame, though, that we've started expecting librarians to be on the front lines to handle people who have complex needs.[/quote]

+1 well stated and true[/quote]

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