Homeless Engagement Initiative
Dallas Public Library, Texas
Equity and Inclusion
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Innovation Synopsis
This Innovation addresses the information needs of Dallas Public Library’s regular homeless customers, increases community awareness of issues related to homelessness and promotes the public library as a place of social inclusion by training staff and encouraging intergroup mingling between housed and homeless individuals through creative programming.
Challenge/Opportunity
Like many urban libraries, hundreds of members of the homeless community visit the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in downtown Dallas each day to access the internet, reading material and respite from the streets. Recognizing its natural position to do more to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness and to support the organizations working tirelessly to do the same, the Dallas Public Library launched the "Homeless Engagement Initiative" in 2013.Key Elements of Innovation
This Innovation has led to community engagement programs such as "Coffee & Conversation" and the "Winter Backpack Challenge" as well as the creation of an in-house Homeless Engagement and Leadership Program desk to link users to social service providers. Enrichment classes such as urban photography and music lessons are also made available and local organizations look to DPL annually to host the annual "Community Forum on Homelessness" which this year focused on youth homelessness.Achieved Outcomes
HEI has improved relations between unhoused populations, staff and other library users. Through this initiative, the library has successfully engaged nearly 3,000 members of the homeless community in service referrals, job application assistance, mentoring services and personalized assistance services through the HELP Desk since September 2016. This program has seen nearly 30 individuals secure housing thanks to DPL referrals, and staff has been recognized nationally for its innovative approach to social equity among users.
