Nationwide, public libraries are experiencing an increase of “on-premise” opioid overdoses and other issues affecting library-users who contend with homelessness (e.g. youth, families, formerly incarcerated, and human trafficked individuals). No other researcher is currently conducting research on this population at the San Diego Central Library (SDCL). Studies focused on this population are scarce. Dr. Lianne Urada (PI), with involvement from 10 graduate students and the SDSU School of Social Work Consensus Organizing Center, is conducting research (focus groups, interviews, and pilot survey questions) with a minimum of 10 library staff (total staff=100) and community stakeholders, and 30+ patrons experiencing homelessness, housing, and financial instability at SDCL. SDCL presents a unique opportunity to access the population in an environment that de-stigmatizes them and treats them as equal patrons. Nine graduate students from programs in the School of Social Work and 1 graduate student from the dual Public Administration/Latin American Studies Masters program are working with Dr. Urada on this project. Findings from this project will inform policymakers, future interventions, and survey research/grant submissions to aid libraries and other public spaces in meeting the needs of populations facing homelessness, locally and nationally.
