The Palos Verdes Library District serves a generally affluent community, and one that is a bit off the beaten path (far from a freeway, up a big hill, limited access by public transit) so unlike many public libraries we do not have many patrons who appear to be indigent or homeless...but we do have some.
Perhaps because seeing someone who appears homeless is not a common sight in our libraries, our patrons (and sometimes our employees) don't always know how to react. We have had patrons ask if "people like that" should be allowed in the library - the answer is yes, we are a public building and anyone is welcome to enjoy our facilities provided they comply with our policies.
It may be a sign of the continued economic pressures but recently we seem to have had more visits from people who appear to be homeless, along with incidents of use of our restrooms for bathing (not allowed), sleeping for an extended period (upright while sitting in a chair - allowed as long as it isn't interfering with anyone's ability to make use of the library in comfort), bringing in luggage or multiple bags (allowed as long as the person retains control of their items, does not block aisles or access, and does not interfere with others' use of the library), and severe odor due to lack of bathing (if the odor is so strong it makes use of the library unpleasant for others the person can be asked to leave).
In these situations it can be tempting to react to a person's appearance and make assumptions about their personal situations - that the person in layers of torn clothing or the one dragging a battered suitcase and caring several plastic bags of clothing is homeless - and then base our actions on those assumptions rather than the person's behavior as it relates to library use.
The reality is that appearances can be deceiving. That is why I loved this article from the front page of yesterday's Los Angeles Times about "Turkey Jon" Burt, who is a familiar sight around the Beach Cities where I live. Based on this description from the article, it would be easy to assume that Mr. Burt is homeless:
Burt is a huddle of clothes, hunched over the handlebars, white plastic bags hanging as sentries. "Stuff for the beach," he says of the contents.
He is wrapped in layer upon layer of warmth topped by a flannel jacket, ripped in places. Windbreaker pants fend off the stiff ocean breezes that come with sunrise.
Affectionately called Turkey Jon, he rolls along Hermosa Avenue. Rumpled, grizzled, wearing moccasins with his big toe poking out of the left one, Burt seems out of place in this town of bikinis and flip-flops.
And yet the reality is very different. He has a home, a family who love him, and many friends.
As I read the article I wondered, if Mr. Burt came to our library how would he be treated? I hope it would be as a welcome guest, and not as someone to be viewed with suspicion.
Know him well, knew his mother when she was alive. Wilma Burt, a real Hermosa icon of her day.
He's known for asking girls "hey, chicky, you wanna go in the water?"
Sad, he's sure aged a lot over the last ten years.
Posted by: Merna | November 18, 2011 at 11:01 AM