The libraries of Los Angeles are more than a magnet that attracts the homeless in search of a space with a roof that offers them a respite from their life on the streets. They have become the place where they can find help to obtain social services and even housing.
“Libraries are the place where they can go during the day to protect themselves from the hot, cold or rain, but they are also the place where you have access to the Internet”, said Joyce Cooper, director of Branch Services of the Los Angeles Public Library.
“Although there are many who have the Obama Phone, the service they get through those phones is limited. So he comes to the libraries to have access to the Internet on our computers”.
The program of the Obama Phone has allowed the Federal Communications Commission to approve a number of national and regional carriers to offer phones to Americans in need.
Cooper He said in an interview with Real America News that there are only very basic things that homeless people are not allowed to do.
“We limit the size of the bags they bring to the library. We don’t let them in with a cart or view child pornography on the computers, and if a homeless person is caught looking at that kind of material, we call the police.”
The director of services of the libraries of Los Angeles, said that since 2015, they have the program The Source in various branches, which consists of bringing together various suppliers once a month to offer the homeless population services such as immunizations, personal identification cards, and food stamps CalFresh.
“We try to match them with providers to give them what they need”.
The latest service event for the homeless Home was held in coordination with District 4 Councilwoman Nithya Raman at the Durant Library in Hollywood.
“We lent the parking of the library for the councilwoman’s office to do a day of service to the community. We support with the space and the diffusion of the event”.
For her part, Councilor Nithya Raman said that libraries have always been a safe space that welcomes everyone, including people experiencing homelessness.
“In my district, we have been so fortunate to have such wonderful partners at the Durant Library, where we host a Neighborhood Support Day to provide services and resources to the homeless, all in one location.”
He added that they have been able to assist hundreds of people with showers, hot meals, medical assistance, driver’s licenses handling, phone charging stations, haircuts, and case management.
Cooper said that is a model he would like to extend to other libraries.
“In all the libraries of the city of Los Angeles, there is a need to attend to the homeless population that has been growing in recent years and that have found in them a refuge where they can spend the day”.
But the increase in homeless people in libraries has also impacted them, that is why – he said – they have given training workers to help them however they can.
“The community includes and welcomes everyone, and that includes the homeless, and we only act against those who create a problem”.
The good news is that they are going to hire a community services representative in all the libraries.
“It is a new position in which a person will be in charge of informing the community how to follow the rules inside the library so that everyone is in peace and there is no need to call the police”.
But that person will also be in charge of telling the community where to get help and will be the contact of homeless people with the social services they need in the city.
“The goal is to have a community liaison person in each of the libraries.”
He also revealed that in order to provide better service to the community, they have asked all city agencies to make a proposal for social services to offer them in the libraries and how much it would cost .
“What we want is to have a broader program to support the community, which includes the homeless population”.
The city of Los Angeles has a central library Y 72 branch offices.
As of January 2020, Los Angeles County had a homeless population of 66,290 persons; while the city had ,300.
The results of this year’s homeless count will be released until the summer.
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