Library staff excel at guiding patrons to meet their information needs. But those who spend their days inside the public library due to homelessness or mental illness often need more services than a library can offer. Traditional referrals to city agencies can provide some relief. But serving immediate needs can be a challenge. This past year, the Library has successfully leveraged key partnerships to offer direct services for clothing, food, health care and more.

San Francisco pioneered the first social worker in a public library. Today that work has deepened through engaging partnerships that include a monthly Pop Up Care Village outside the Main Library offering food, clothing, backpacks, vision, dental and health care, haircuts, meals and more. That’s in addition to weekly mobile showers and bathrooms, along with referral services to homeless resources provided by a library social worker and team of health and safety associates.

Thanks to the partnership with Lavamae, the program’s originator, the library is able to meet the direct and immediate needs of many patrons experiencing homelessness – health, hunger and clothing and they access these resources in one place where they are honored as guests. It has also strengthened the library’s partnership with several city social service agencies and even corporate volunteering partners by hosting this village of support on the grounds of the Main Library.