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Homelessness at the San Diego Central Library: Assessing the Potential Role of Social Workers

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  • Lianne A. Urada

    (School of Social Work, San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, CA 92182, USA
    Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA)

  • Melanie J. Nicholls

    (School of Social Work, San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, CA 92182, USA
    Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA 92093, USA)

  • Stephen R. Faille

    (School of Social Work, San Diego State University (SDSU), San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

Abstract

Nationwide, public libraries are experiencing an increase in “on-premise” opioid overdoses and other issues (e.g., suicide attempts) affecting unstably housed library users. The public library presents a unique opportunity to access an otherwise hidden population. In partnership with the San Diego Central Library, researchers led focus groups, in-depth interviews, and surveys with 63 library patrons experiencing homelessness or housing instability ( n = 49) and library staff ( n = 14) (January–June 2019). Using a consensus organizing framework and mixed methods approach, the researchers conducted in-depth interviews exploring the library’s strengths and opportunities for patrons experiencing homelessness, the barriers to meeting their aspirations, and whether having a social worker at the library or other policy changes in government or the library could help. Specifically, participants answered inquiries about the opportunities for the library to address substance use and human trafficking. In brief surveys, library patrons and staff provided views on the patrons’ educational needs, library staff’s training needs, and changes needed in government or library policies. Results revealed the desire of the library patrons (69%) and staff (93%) to have a library social worker who could link patrons to housing services, substance use harm reduction or treatment, and address food-insecure youth/families and human trafficking/sexual exploitation. Participants also valued peer advocates with lived homelessness experiences. Over 70% of the unstably housed patrons said they would like library patrons to participate in peer leadership training. Other significant themes were the need for crisis prevention and intervention, connecting patrons to resources and each other, and creating consistent assistance. Libraries urgently need more on-premise support to address patrons’ pressing housing, health, and mental health needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Lianne A. Urada & Melanie J. Nicholls & Stephen R. Faille, 2022. "Homelessness at the San Diego Central Library: Assessing the Potential Role of Social Workers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-20, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:14:p:8449-:d:860118
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Janny S. Li & Lianne A. Urada, 2020. "Cycle of Perpetual Vulnerability for Women Facing Homelessness near an Urban Library in a Major U.S. Metropolitan Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Maeva Jego & Julien Abcaya & Diana-Elena Ștefan & Céline Calvet-Montredon & Stéphanie Gentile, 2018. "Improving Health Care Management in Primary Care for Homeless People: A Literature Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-21, February.
    3. Mounah Abdel-Samad & Jerel P. Calzo & Jennifer K. Felner & Lianne Urada & Matthew E. Verbyla & Hala Madanat & Brian E. Adams & Thais Alves & Bruce Appleyard & Joshua Chanin & Shawn Flanigan & Hisham F, 2021. "Conceptualizing an Interdisciplinary Collective Impact Approach to Examine and Intervene in the Chronic Cycle of Homelessness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
    4. Amanda R. W. Berry & Tracy L. Finlayson & Luke M. Mellis & Lianne A. Urada, 2021. "Association between Participation in Counseling and Retention in a Buprenorphine-Assisted Treatment Program for People Experiencing Homelessness with Opioid Use Disorder," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-11, October.
    5. McVicar, Duncan & Moschion, Julie & van Ours, Jan C., 2015. "From substance use to homelessness or vice versa?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 136, pages 89-98.
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    Cited by:

    1. Marcus M. Lam & Nathan J. Grasse, 2024. "Funding Health Care for People Experiencing Homelessness: An Examination of Federally Qualified Health Centers’ Funding Streams and Homeless Patients Served (2014–2019)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-17, June.

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