Comments on: D.C. Libraries: Not a Homeless Shelter, Especially in the West End

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:22:35 +0000

Homeless in libraries has been a nationwide issue for decades. Originating in large, urban centers it has now become a concern for suburban libraries, as well.
It will take the cooperation and collaboration of agencies to address the issue and come up with creative solutions. Granted, a lack of funding for social services is at the root of the need and some cities are finding crippled when trying to provide new services. Libraries as part of a larger social services complex, including other public services in the same building or adjacent to the library, is one way to begin.
This article about the San Francisco PL gives provides a wonderful example of collaboration of services.

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/assignment_7&id=7459632

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:29:00 +0000

Mattie B. - of course these people need a place to go. How about work? Callous of me you think? Well, the only good reasons for these people to not be working seems to be mental illness and/or addiction problems. In which case, feeling unsafe around them is a reasonable response. I work so that I can afford to pay sky-high West End rent, and thusly my pay taxes. I want to be able to use the facilities that my hard work and tax money pays for. Yes, in a perfect world everyone one's needs, abilities and limitations will be met by a benevolent social system that doesn't cost anybody any money (we Americans hate our taxes). We are not in that system, and it makes me mad that when I'm in the West End library, my senses are offended (smell, noise), there's no where to sit, the bathrooms, forget about it. There's no effort or even expectation that the library will be kept quiet. There are people who are losing their jobs in this economy and need to use the library's resources to find another job, probably in an effort to continue sheltering themselves. I have far more sympathy for them. How about this for a solution- Eastblanc wants the space- require them to build a homeless shelter in addition to new library and police station as part of their multiple use complex. Wouldn't that be ironic. Oh and Eric, we know you're homeless without you telling us.

By: Norbert Lupercio

Norbert Lupercio — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 13:26:22 +0000

Really fascinating read this. When cleaning my window blinds I take them down and put them in the bathtub using Dawn dish washing liquid. I let the soak and the rinse till the water runs clear. You might need do this a couple of times. The blinds are easiest to handle as soon as they are pulled all the method up as soon as you take them off the window. Loosen them in the tub.

By: Q

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:36:10 +0000

No explanation?!? This dude seemed too progressive. LL, there's a story here. Can you check it out?

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:44:35 +0000

Edward Was Dismissed by the library administration without no explanation

By: I’m back | PBPulse

I’m back | PBPulse — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:10:37 +0000

[...] properly catalog the mating rituals of the early Etruscans, but now it’s all about blogs. A Washington City Paper story making the rounds is about how West End Library wants to do more to attract the affluent parts of [...]

By: A Fellow Traveler

A Fellow Traveler — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:55:16 +0000

To quote #33 above:

"Of course, people who don’t want to be bothered by homeless people at all can always endow private libraries, with subscriptions available only to those with valid pay stubs and rent receipts."

That is the classic "Libertarian" argument. The beginning of a two-tier caste system. Public libraries for the poor and Private libraries for the rich.

Several several private libraries and museums already exist in this city. They belong to private organizations and universities. GWU won't let any visitors into its library. GU does if you show ID and sign in. GU also has some of the most stuck up, asshole students that will make fun of you if they suspect that you are homeless.

I have experienced this many times. I don't complain. I do my research and leave. They have excellent Internet access.

The idea of commenter #29:

"Why not just install some storage areas, locker rooms, and showers in the basements of the libraries? That way homeless people can clean up a bit and store their belongings before sitting down to read."

Well, that would be to easy. Then the first complaint would be, "How come I can't take a shower and store my stuff? My taxes pay for this library." Fair enough.

So, the the library no longer becomes a just a community center, it turns into a social club or spa. Then you have to start charging fees for maintenance. The library is no longer public anymore.

Right?

Day centers for the homeless are a good idea. So are job training, free education at UDC, credit for online courses and free vocational training. If we stop blaming homeless people and address the problems--economic and social, that lead to homeless in the first place, then there would be no need to use public libraries as a place to pass the time and keep warm.

By: Danny

Danny — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:45:07 +0000

Eric,

The homeless community in D.C. is lucky to have you as an advocate. You sound smart, witty and compassionate. Good luck to you, Eric.

By: S

Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:05:10 +0000

Eric,
Why the hell are you homeless? You don't have to be homeless to be a homeless advocate.
-S

By: Eric Sheptock

Eric Sheptock — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:55:33 +0000

I am a well-known homeless homeless advocate. The mayor, the Council and many in DC Government know me by name. (Google my name to prove it.)

I have used the West End library. I will visit it again soon (as a result of reading this article) to see how the homeless are being treated.

Oddly enough, I don't look homeless. You wouldn't know that I'm homeless unless I told you. I dress rather well and don't carry a bunch of bags. There are others like me who are homeless but don't dress the part. Beware, lest we point out your mistreatment of the homeless.

You should be made aware of the fact that every homeless person has their own story. you shouldn't paint with broad strokes. we aren't all addicts or mentally ill. I'll match wits with any one of you out there. Try me.

I WILL say this much to the credit of the homeless haters: Even as a homeless person, i can't stand a lack of hygiene. There are shelters and day centers that offer shower facilities and hygiene products. The homeless don't need to be filthy. as it turns out, some are indeed mentally ill and don't reason well enough to know to bathe. It behooves the library to just post and/or distribute info about day centers and places to shower for their homeless patrons.

Finally, I appreciate those who are sensitive to the issue of homelessness, including but not limited to Robin Diener and Pam Stovall (both of whom I know). The public should be made aware of the fact that many, including homeless homeless advocates like myself, have opted for day centers for the homeless so that the library won't need to serve that purpose. (See the Dec. 15th 2006 issue of STREET SENSE, DC's newspaper about homelessness and poverty.)

Eric sheptock -- ericsheptock@yahoo.com .

By: Demetria

Demetria — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 07:24:16 +0000

Homeless people in libraries is not a problem exclusive to DC and it's environs. I've seen homeless people in every library I've ever visited. Homeless people who are not working have no place to go during the day. Why not go to the library? It's climate controlled and reasonably safe, there are bathrooms, and there are interesting events all day. One wonders if the problem is that there are people who are not making the most of their lives, taking naps in the middle of the day, and this is what bothers people (your protestant ethics are showing), or if the problem is a more visceral, "Ew, stinky people!" in which case the problem is easily solved with the suggestion to install lockers and showers. Of course, people who don't want to be bothered by homeless people at all can always endow private libraries, with subscriptions available only to those with valid pay stubs and rent receipts.

By: JB

JB — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 16:41:36 +0000

Anyone who has ever worked with homeless people will tell you that way more than half have mental health problems and/or addictions. And they deserve help, which most are not getting, because most of them don't want help. It shouldn't be their choice--but that's a whole other issue.

A library should be a place where children can safely do school research and where women will not be leered at. Where basic hygiene is expected. That isn't right-wing or uncompassionate.

I live in Arlington. And the Central Library continually has homeless people parked at the computers, playing online games. I've yet to see one reading a book. I actually had to write the County a letter to get the library to stop letting homeless people bring their teetering carts of putrid junk into the library! So now, these deranged men park their stuff outside.

I have human sympathy for the homeless. Quite a bit, actually. I'm a fairly liberal Democrat. I think it's shameful that the good intent of deinstitutionalization has resulted in what amounts to abandonment of people in dire need. And I think those who are mentally ill and refuse treatment should get mandatory treatment on the government dime--reinstitutionalization, without the horrid abuses of yore.

But civil order should not be negotiable.

By: Jose

Jose — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 20:26:11 +0000

I've been to the West End and it's a goddamn shithole. The librarians have been reduced to social workers. We could shame ourselves by repeating that it's a 'public' library or we could see this problem as what it is, a problem, and do what we can to get the city to open up day shelters for the homeless. Either that or end this whole public library thing, who needs em these days with the internet?

By: UncleSam

UncleSam — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:20:42 +0000

Why not just install some storage areas, locker rooms, and showers in the basements of the libraries? That way homeless people can clean up a bit and store their belongings before sitting down to read. They are members of the public and are entitled to use the libraries just like everyone else, but some of them just need a little extra help. In the end, the library will be helping these folks better themselves (physically and mentally) so that they can (hopefully) obtain employment and live in permanent housing.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:27:21 +0000

While I certainly sympathize with the homeless--there is a difference between use of a library to read, learn, and better one's situation and other uses that seem to happen. Ms. Tate would seem to be a good example of a positive use--however in many of the DC libraries, homeless people camp (yes, camp would be the right word) out in the libraries and see this as their right. If they are reading--I say welcome! While a library should be open to all--there should be a stipulation that one use it for its original purpose, which--the last time I checked--was not to sleep, get warm, or god knows what else.