San Francisco Public Library Hires Social Worker For Homeless

[Kadie]

Feb 20, 2010 10:18 am US/Pacific
SF Public Library Hires Social Worker For Homeless

EVELYN NIEVES, Associated Press Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5 / AP) ― Every day, when the main library opens, John Banks is waiting to get inside. He finds a spot and stays until closing time. Then his wheelchair takes him back to the bus terminal where he spends his nights.

Like many homeless public library patrons, all Banks wants is a clean, safe place to sit in peace. He doesn't want to talk to anyone. He doesn't want anyone to talk to him. But the day he decides he wants help, he knows what to do: ask for the social worker.

The main branch of the San Francisco Public Library, where hundreds of homeless people spend every day, is the first in the country to keep a full-time social worker on hand, according to the American Library Association.

But cities across the country are trying different approaches to deal with patrons who use bathroom sinks as showers or toilet stalls as drug dens. In Philadelphia and San Francisco, libraries have hired homeless patrons to work as bathroom attendants who guide others to drop-in centers or churches where they can bathe.

In Portland, Ore. the downtown library is trying a penalty system for patrons who commit infractions — banishing them from the library for a day for shaving, three years for fighting.

While San Francisco is the first to hire a social worker, other libraries may follow. As the economy languishes and cities shut down social programs, public libraries are becoming repositories for those who have been kicked out and turned away from all other places.

more...
http://cbs5.com/local/San.Francisco.public.2.1507738.html


In this photo taken Jan. 29, 2010, people wait for the San Francisco Public Library to open in San Francisco. The main branch of the San Francisco Public Library, where hundreds of homeless people spend every day, is the first in the country to keep a full-time social worker on hand, according to the American Library Association.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)


In this Jan. 29, 2010 photo, John Banks, who is homeless, sits in his wheelchair at the San Francisco Public Library in San Francisco. While libraries have long been refuges for the down and out, in the ongoing recession, they are dealing with more people than ever before with mental health problems and basic needs such as food and shelter.
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

[MineralMan]

1. When the homeless shelters shut down every morning,

the library is often the only place the homeless can go to get out of the weather and find a place to sit. Nobody else will have them. It makes sense to have social workers in the library. It's a pity the city or county social services department doesn't set up an information center there. Feh!

[pinto]

2. Very proactive.

:thumbsup:

:thumbsup:

Thanks for the post.

[Forkboy]

3. It's a shame on the whole country that they're even needed.

But a tip of the hat to them for doing what they should in the conditions we've let evolve.

[juno jones]

4. Damn secular humanists

Then will say to those at his left hand, “You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.” Then they also will answer, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?” Then he will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”

...how dare they act like Jesus! Such vanity!


(must I add :sarcasm:?)

[pnorman]

5. K & R the above posting!!!!

I'd been looking for that quote, but didn't know where to start Googling!

[Kadie]

6. great post.

thanks.

:hi: