Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice: Poverty & Homelessness

In this Niche Academy webinar, n this webinar, Julie Ann Winkelstein will give a brief overview of who is unhoused, the numerous ways community members experience homelessness, some basic statistics and facts about US homelessness, and insights into its impact on people’s lives, including daily trauma.

With any community members you serve at your library, it’s important to use respectful
and appropriate vocabulary. It is hoped this glossary will help.

Serving library users experiencing homelessness requires the entire library be behind
the effort and that an understanding of homelessness be integrated into every aspect of the
library’s services and operations.
Note: This Checklist is adapted from the WebJunction “Serving Spanish Speaking Communities
Checklist” (Cuesta, 2012) and adapted from the 2019 Infopeople class “Library Services for
Patrons Experiencing Homelessness” (Winkelstein, 2019).

Federal, state, and local programs are distributing billions of dollars to help renters and landlords make ends meet in order to avoid eviction. The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB) has excellent guides directed at renters and landlords that explain their options and answer a series of common questions. This job aid is for library staff assisting patrons.

This flyer uses plain English to summarize the phases of eviction for patrons and includes places for you to fill in your library's contact information as well as referral information for local eviction resources.

These short animated videos cover key topics in plain English and Spanish. Some content is specific to Colorado. Topics include: reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing; crucial conversations with your landlord; and best practices for landlord/tenant communication.