Article Annotations: What Works

Abramson, H. (2003). A Haven For Homeless Kids. School Library Journal vol 49, no.1, p. 41. Retrieved October 11th, 2006 from Library Literature Fulltext. http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/databases/
Discusses a 5-day program, Camp LAPL at the Central Los Angeles Library. The library partnered with a service agency and provided library card applications for the children who were living in shelters with their families. Resulted in children eager to use the library again and again.

Geloff, K. & Nordyke, D. (2002). Library Services To Homeless Youth.ALKI. vol. 18, no.2. Retrieved October 11th, 2006 from Library Literature Fulltext. http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/databases/
The Seattle library’s University District branch partnered with the University District Youth Center to provide programs for homeless teens: book discussion groups, activities, and even a job internship. The teens regard the library as a safe and quiet place.

Lawry, B. (2002).The Value of a Library Card to a Homeless Person. Public Libraries, vol. 41, no.4., pp. 200-201. Retrieved October 11th, 2006 from Library Literature Fulltext http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/databases/.
Lawry writes about an encounter with one homeless woman being treated by a doctor who is part of a hospital outreach program. The woman is much more worried about losing her books and library card than about her medicine when her backpack is stolen. The woman feels sure she can work something out with the library to replace her card and pay for the books.

Peterson, L. (2003). Using a Homeless Shelter as a Library Education Learning Laboratory: Incorporating Service-Learning in a Graduate Level Information Sources and Services in the Social Sciences Course. RUSA, vol. 42, no.4. pp. 307-310. Retrieved October 15th, 2006 from Library Literature Fulltext http://www.emporia.edu/libsv/databases/
LIS students had the opportunity to build a library at a homeless shelter in the Buffalo, NY region. The article briefly describes the instructor’s hopes and fears for her students. They partnered with a local social service organization and had some good success. The article is a little sketchy. I’d ultimately like more details.