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IFLA Guidelines for Library Services to People Experiencing Homelessness

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IFLA Guidelines for Library Services to People Experiencing Homelessness IFLA Guidelines for Library Services to People Experiencing Homelessness Developed by the IFLA Library Services to People with Special Needs (LSN) Section August 2017 Endorsed by the IFLA Professional Committee Library Services to People with Special Needs Guidelines Working Group, 2017 2 © 2017 by LSN Guidelines Working Group and Julie Ann Winkelstein, Consultant and Primary Editor. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. To view a copy of this license, visit: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 IFLA P.O. Box 95312 2509 CH Den Haag Netherlands www.ifla.org 3 Table of Contents Preface ........................................................................................................................................................ 10 Chapter 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 12 1.1 Development of Guidelines in an international context ........................................................... 12 1.2 Why are the Guidelines necessary? .............................................................................................. 13 1.2.1 Overcoming prejudices ........................................................................................................... 13 1.2.2 Identifying barriers and how to overcome them................................................................. 13 1.2.3 Worldwide library services to people experiencing homelessness .................................... 14 1.2.4 Organizing targeted services for a targeted audience ......................................................... 14 1.2.5 Networking organizations and support from experts from different fields ................... 14 1.3 Purpose ............................................................................................................................................. 15 Chapter 2 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... 16 2.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2 Why these Guidelines ..................................................................................................................... 16 2.3 Background ...................................................................................................................................... 16 2.4 Sections of the Guidelines ............................................................................................................. 17 Chapter 3 Homelessness: An Overview ................................................................................................ 26 3.1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 26 3.2 Definition ......................................................................................................................................... 26 3.3 Metrics .............................................................................................................................................. 27 3.4 Causes ............................................................................................................................................... 27 3.5 Consequences .................................................................................................................................. 28 3.6 Stigma ............................................................................................................................................... 28 3.7 Social Groups at Risk of Homelessness ...................................................................................... 28 Chapter 4 Human Rights and Homelessness ....................................................................................... 30 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 30 4.2 Examples of human rights relevant to libraries .......................................................................... 30 4.2.1 The right to information ......................................................................................................... 30 4.2.2. The right to participate in cultural life ................................................................................. 31 4.3 Recommendations .......................................................................................................................... 31 4.4 Human Rights and the UN 2030 Agenda ................................................................................... 32 4.4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 32 4.4.2 Examples of ways in which libraries can help implement the SDGs ............................... 32 4.5 Recommendations .......................................................................................................................... 33 Chapter 5 Needs Assessment and Evaluation of Services to People Experiencing Homelessness ..................................................................................................................................................................... 34 4 5.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 34 5.2 Needs assessment ........................................................................................................................... 34 5.3 Evaluation of Services .................................................................................................................... 35 5.3.1 Anecdotal information ............................................................................................................ 35 5.3.2 Response to services ................................................................................................................ 35 5.3.3 Impact ........................................................................................................................................ 36 5.3.4 Outcomes for the Library ....................................................................................................... 36 5.4 Recommendations .......................................................................................................................... 37 5.4.1 Needs assessment .................................................................................................................... 37 5.4.2 Evaluation ................................................................................................................................. 37 Chapter 6 Attitude .................................................................................................................................... 38 6.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 38 6.2 Examples .......................................................................................................................................... 38 6.3 Recommendations .......................................................................................................................... 38 6.3.1 Consider whom the library is welcoming ............................................................................. 38 6.3.2 Assess the library’s posted rules and policies ....................................................................... 39 6.3.3 Work with library staff ............................................................................................................ 39 6.3.4 Be all-inclusive .......................................................................................................................... 39 Chapter 7 Library Services ....................................................................................................................... 40 7.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 40 7.2 Target audience ............................................................................................................................... 40 7.2.1 Examples of target audiences ................................................................................................. 40 7.3 Partnerships ..................................................................................................................................... 41 7.4 Services ............................................................................................................................................. 41 7.4.1 Basic access to library services ............................................................................................... 41 7.4.2 Engagement in community life .............................................................................................. 41 7.4.3 Preparation and assistance in finding employment ............................................................ 42 7.4.4 Education services and access to the library’s resources ................................................... 43 7.4.5 Meeting Social Needs .............................................................................................................
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