Friday 28 January 2022

A local social worker shared with us the heart-warming story of a young man she works with who is experiencing homelessness.

The man had just become a library member, before which he’d never stepped foot into a library. Upon joining, he was thrilled to discover that he could access Kanopy through his library membership, enabling him to watch movies for free. 

That week, he returned to the library a further three times. When his social worker asked him why, he explained he felt free of judgement coming into this space. 

When he visits other spaces, it is because of a 'label'. For example, at the employment agency he is ‘unemployed’, at the housing agency he is ‘homeless’, Centrelink because he needs help to access benefits or attending the food bank is because he is ‘hungry due to experiencing poverty’. 

He comes to the library and is label-free. Like any other member of the public, he is simply accessing the many available resources.

The social worker reported that she had never before considered the library as a resource to help her clients achieve their goals and tap into the many varied benefits.

Geelong Regional Libraries strives to reach out and engage with people experiencing vulnerability in our community. Everyone is welcome at the library. 

Not a library member? Sign up for your free membership now.