Coincidentally I have been working from a public library this week. The majority of patrons are homeless. Many are physically disabled. Some are mentally ill and yell at random at nothing.
It's sad. I feel conflicted because I don't really want them near me but I understand they have no where else to go. I don't get how the library because a homeless shelter but it's probably not somewhere I'd take a child.
Libraries are a fairly unique kind of institution in society. It's community owned, so you're not going to throw someone out for not buying something. It's sheltered, and probably climate-controlled, so you're out of the elements. There's something to do (computers, books, activities).
Unhoused people come to libraries because it's one of the last places that they're not being told to "get out". They want to be there probably for the same reason any of us do. Compared to a homeless shelter or a soup kitchen, that is mostly a room full of beds or tables, a library is a relief.
my local library is the same, it's very large but right in downtown. Filled to teh brim with crazy people. When my family wants to go to the library we drive 45min to a suburb and it's a completely different experience. Night/day doesn't even begin describe the difference. People like to complain/rant about suburbs but they do have their perks.
It's sad. I feel conflicted because I don't really want them near me but I understand they have no where else to go. I don't get how the library because a homeless shelter but it's probably not somewhere I'd take a child.