Urban Libraries Council outlines strategies to better support both unhoused patrons and the staff who serve them.

Washington, DC — The Urban Libraries Council (ULC), North America’s leading nonprofit and membership organization for urban libraries, has released a new set of best practices designed to help libraries better serve those experiencing homelessness in their communities. Informed by library leaders across the U.S. and Canada, the report recommends that community partnerships, staff development, and intentional physical design, can better support both unhoused patrons and the library staff who serve them.

“Public libraries across North America are increasingly at the forefront of addressing the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness,” said Brooks Rainwater, President and CEO of the Urban Libraries Council. “By adopting these best practices, libraries can make a lasting impact on those experiencing homelessness and ensure that they remain safe, supportive spaces for everyone.”

ULC member libraries — The Brooklyn Public Library, Calgary Public Library, Dallas Public Library, DC Public Library, Denver Public Library, LA County Library, Los Angeles Public Library, Salt Lake City Public Library, San Diego Public Library and Spokane Public Library — serve as direct examples in the report of the effective strategies and organizational models around how urban libraries can be addressing homelessness, including:

• Forming strong partnerships with social service agencies and local governments to expand the range of resources available within libraries. Through these collaborations, libraries can provide essential services such as housing assistance, mental health care, and job training, enhancing the support available to unhoused patrons.
• Ensuring that library personnel are prepared to manage the unique challenges they face. This includes training staff on de-escalation techniques, trauma-informed care, and behavioral management, as well as empowering them with the tools and protocols necessary to ensure a safe, supportive environment for all library users. Libraries should also consider hiring dedicated staff, such as social workers or community engagement coordinators, to focus specifically on connecting patrons to needed resources.
• Designing welcoming environments that clearly communicate shared expectations of behavior can create a more inclusive and supportive atmosphere for all patrons, especially those experiencing homelessness. Providing designated support areas where unhoused individuals can easily access help and resources preserves their dignity and strengthens the library’s role as a community refuge.

Read the Leadership Brief, “Effective Strategies and Models for Urban Libraries Addressing Homelessness,” on the ULC website.

The Urban Libraries Council is an innovation and impact tank of North America’s leading public library systems. ULC drives cutting-edge research and strategic partnerships to elevate the power of libraries as essential, transformative institutions. Across the U.S. and Canada, more than 180 member libraries rely on ULC to identify significant challenges facing today’s communities and provide new tools and techniques to help libraries achieve stronger outcomes in education, digital equity, workforce and economic development, and race and social equity. Learn more at urbanlibraries.org.

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