We are writing guidelines for providing library services to people who are experiencing homelessness. An important step in this process is collecting examples of library services to people who are experiencing homelessness worldwide. Can you send us examples?
The IFLA Section on Library Services to People with Special Needs is writing guidelines for providing library services to people who are experiencing homelessness. An important step in the process of developing guidelines is collecting examples of library services to people who are experiencing homelessness worldwide. Share your experiences and challenges in organizing library services for the homeless people in your community with us! The deadline for submission is 31 March 2016. Please download the form in your preferred language and send it to Sanja Bunic.
Contribute details of your example in English in this form.
Contribuye con ejemplos en español en este formulario .
Contribute details of your example in Russian in this form .
The first goal of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is to end poverty in all its forms everywhere. Homelessness is an extreme and complex form of poverty.
Although the number of people experiencing homelessness is rising worldwide, attitudes towards those who are without a permanent and safe place to live are different from country to country, and this reflects on the organization of quality services for them. Libraries are an important part of the network of organizations that can be allies and help provide them equal access to information, skills and knowledge.
In February 2015 we started the process of developing the Guidelines for Library Services to People Experiencing Homelessness. The purpose of the guidelines is to provide guidance to libraries and library associations on the complexity of the problem of homelessness and organizing library services for them; advice from experts on serving people who are experiencing homelessness; and examples of how libraries are serving people who are experiencing homelessness or are unstably housed.
If you have any questions, please contact the co-chairs of the working group for developing the guidelines: Sanja Bunic and Nancy Bolt.