Librarians are well known for being adaptable and innovative, even as the issues that arise in serving underserved populations within communities are ever-changing. These books provide insight and advice for working with those who have been shuffled to the sidelines and offer practical information for providing services and support.
Libraries and Homelessness: An Action Guide
By Julie Ann Winkelstein
As many communities face increasing houseless populations, public library workers are often on the front lines, offering services that may not exist elsewhere. From strategies to implementation, the chapters in this enlightening guide offer hands-on tools and real-world examples of successful programming, as well as tips for forming local partnerships, fundraising, and assessing program effectiveness. This book offers a holistic approach to a prevalent concern for public libraries across the country. Libraries Unlimited, 2021. 282 p. $54. PBK. 978-1-4408-6278-6. (Also available as an ebook.)
A Trauma-Informed Framework for Supporting Patrons: The PLA Workbook of Best Practices
By the Public Library Association Social Worker Task Force
As its introduction states, “In striving to learn more about challenging behaviors, we can come to see that people are complex and not simply ‘problems.’” The guidance offered in this workbook fully supports that notion. Offering up contextual information on different types of trauma, exercises based on real situations, and ideas for bettering communication skills and self-care, this informative read also includes assessment tools and worksheets useful for library professionals at any stage of their careers. ALA Editions, 2022. 112 p. $34.99. PBK. 978-0-8389-4956-6.
Library Services and Incarceration: Recognizing Barriers, Strengthening Access
By Jeanie Austin
Austin examines how critical library services are in responding to the needs of incarcerated people and their families, reentering citizens, and similar populations. Aimed at public and academic libraries, it walks readers through different types of carceral institutions and their various informational needs. It also provides case studies from current, successful programs. The collection development suggestions are especially helpful, as is the information on garnering internal support for expanding services to these populations and bridging relationships with community partners. This is a must-read for library workers tasked with offering services to any justice-impacted groups. ALA Neal-Schulman, 2021. 208 p. $54.99. PBK. 978-0-8389-4945-0.
Supporting Refugees and Other New Arrivals
By John Vincent
Libraries and Sanctuary tackles the challenges of serving refugees and others who have recently arrived in the country. Though written from a European perspective, this book can resonate with library workers everywhere. In addition to providing detailed background information about the immigrant and refugee experience, it also touches on issues universal to these populations—including one chapter about understanding barriers that can prevent libraries from reaching newly arrived refugees. These range from distrust of institutions based on past experiences to not knowing how to find the library or access information. The author includes case studies of US and Canadian programs that further illustrate effective outreach strategies. Facet Publishing, 2022. 222 p. $42.95. PBK. 978-1-7833-0-500-1. (Also available as an ebook.)
Underserved Patrons in University Libraries
Edited by Julia C. Skinner and Melissa Gross
Through exhaustive research and case studies, this book’s authors provide a wealth of knowledge for academic librarians serving diverse student bodies. There is a focus on working with students—both traditional and older populations—recovering from trauma and abuse. This section addresses a wide range of issues they may face, including anxiety, depression, homelessness, communication disorders, and more. Libraries Unlimited, 2021. 222 p. $72. 978-1-4408-7041-5. (Also available as an ebook.)
Borders and Belonging: Critical Examinations of Library Approaches Toward Immigrants
Edited by Ana Ndumu
This eye-opening read, part of Litwin Books’ Critical Race Studies and Multiculturalism in LIS series, examines American libraries’ roles in the lives of immigrants. Positing that there is a degree of discrimination to current approaches in services and programs, Ndumu centers the discussion on changing the narrative that paints immigrants as people who need to be rescued and ignores their strengths. Included is a discussion of the contribution of immigrants to the profession of librarianship. Library Juice Press, 2021. 318 p. $33.99. PBK. 978-1-63400-082-6.
