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Capital Program Office:
capital.program@spl.org
1000 Fourth Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
206-386-4624

SEATTLE CENTRAL LIBRARY
Public Work Group- Homeless Population
Meeting #1, January 5, 2000

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  Issues discussed:

1. Computers- Freedom to view what is desired and/or get as many copies made as desired.
2. Design Process Fragmented- Would appreciate more interaction with other public workgroups. Understand who decision-makers are and how they are working with suggestions.
3. Design- Like San Francisco’s window alcoves, provide private areas but also visible to others in the library, Provide a “continuum of privacy” (different sized areas for groups).
4. Quiet places- that are conducive to concentration are needed to use reference materials.
5. Library is the center of knowledge.
   • Easy access to computers.
   • Open layout- access to books, other people in the library. Library has a diverse constituency to address; open access is necessary to promote community interaction.
6. Library must address conflict between different groups.
7. Literacy needs. (Volunteers teach classes)
   1. Make space available for small classrooms.
   2. More partnerships between library and other service providers.
   3. Not exclusive to homeless patrons.
8. Meeting places. Key for many library users. Rent with library card. 1, 3, 10 person capacity
9. Should the library be the City’s living room?
10. Place for public performances. 8-15 People, “Real Change” Homeless Empowerment Project, “Street Rights” Performance group.
11. Study Carrols for individuals.
12. How do you collect information about this constituency’s needs? (Challenge w/desire for anonymity).
13. Card catalog. Need better database for search.
    • Currently is frustrating experience.
    • Keep the computers working; sometimes systems aren’t working properly (databases).
14. “Collective, local, personal, transpersonal”
    • Way of looking at multiple levels/layers of human interaction.
    • Need elements of all layers to be a healthy system.
    • Events can have elements in different combinations.
    • Library can “tend toward” a certain combination but combination is yet to be determined.
    • Does the “mixing chamber” fill some of these needs/ideas?
15. Expanded hygiene facilities.
    • Shower/laundry (for bicyclists as well).
    • Accessible from outside. Flexible hours of operation (longer than the library).
    • Not library’s mission- but definitely in the library’s best interest.
16. Vision of mutuality. “Win, Win,” holistic inclusion for the new building. Supporting a strong, diverse community.
17. W.C. Facilities. More, better facilities (some accessible from exterior after hours). Commensurate with number of people using building.
18. Porch for people to wait on and awning to wait under until library opens. (Like how it currently is arranged.)
19. Storage lockers/facilities. Library has concerns about security issues surrounding lockers, but what about backpacks and stuff everyone carries around.
20. New Building should speak to your heart, come from the heart.
21. Theater/Movies (once a week) available.
22. Continuing Education for general population about the homeless.
    • Throughout the library (post-it notes).
23. Referral services for the homeless, by the homeless (with training).
24. Magazine Dept. More “zines”, independently produced- solicit submissions from creators.
25. Seating. More comfortable, lounge seating.
26. Allow people to sit on the floor.
27. Ways to make a more dignified experience.
    • Sit comfortably.
    • Be included.
    • Honor diversity.
28. Address the problem of homelessness; don’t treat the people as the problem.
29. Public Information Access. Method to get information to the public on public processes going on in the city. (For example: Posting City Council agendas so people are informed when the hygiene center is being discussed.)

NEXT MEETING FOR THIS WORK GROUP:
3:00-4:30 PM, MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2000, LEE AUDITORIUM

Content modified: 23 March 2000

12/31/2004

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