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Economic Empowerment Outreach to the Homeless

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Economic Empowerment Outreach to the Homeless

King County Library System, Wash.

Workforce and Economic Development | 2019

Innovation Synopsis

Visiting area tent cities and day shelters with the library system’s "Techlab" (a converted RV with Wi-Fi and eight computer stations). Assisting homeless individuals with resumes, job searching, housing applications, email, etc., as well as providing a library experience including circulation and reference. Providing mobile Wi-Fi hotspots to sites for long-term checkouts.

Challenge/Opportunity

Providing consistent visits to homeless encampments are essential to foster trust and make successful connections with these often wary and vulnerable residents. Assistance with computers is also often a crucial need as well as helping patrons overcome mental roadblocks such as the daunting ordeal of paperwork, bureaucracy and where to navigate for assistance and services. Making further connections with local area job-oriented nonprofit agencies who can help with job, accommodation and health needs.


Key Elements of Innovation

Simply finding and connecting with homeless individuals is an innovative concept for public libraries. Also connecting with both WorkSource (nonprofit that provides employment and training services) and Hopelink (community action agency working to eliminate poverty) with these sites is also unusual. Offering standard library service to a population too often ignored or shunned. Lending Mi-Fis to these sites so residents can get online more easily, which are so crucial for so many tasks (job search, online training, housing and other services).


Achieved Outcomes

A mobile connection site assisting underserved, vulnerable, marginalized and unsheltered populations to find employment and housing opportunities with community partners. Enjoyment of standard, varied library services, including circulation and reference along with checking email, applying for jobs or printing resources and information. Providing Wi-Fi hot spots to homeless encampments and transitional housing locations. Staff making meaningful connections with a spectrum of patrons they have not had an opportunity to serve.