Library seeks help to handle slew of addicts, homeless people
A branch library in the South End has been “overwhelmed” by the homeless, according to a library advocate who wants to see Boston Public Library officials collaborate with more outside agencies to address homelessness and substance abuse.
“The library has had an enormous influx of homeless people for a number of years,” said Marleen Nienhuis, president of the Friends of the South End Library. “It’s really a huge problem.”
She said others have the needed expertise “to help make the library safe and welcoming for all.”
As the Herald reported yesterday, BPL trustees are hearing complaints about substance abuse and needles found in library bathrooms, as well as an increase in issues involving homeless patrons. City officials said the main library at Copley Square, the South End branch and the West End branch, in particular, have seen an increase in complaints.
BPL spokeswoman Rosemary Lavery said she could not provide information on the number of assaults, overdoses and found needles at the library’s 24 branches before the Herald’s deadline. According to the Boston Police Department, the main branch has seen five assaults involving homeless people this year, with three inside and two right outside the library.
The South End and West End branches have not had any reported assaults, according to BPD, but Nienhuis said the increased presence was affecting the quality of life for patrons.
“It is such a small branch that it becomes easily overwhelmed by even a small number of homeless people,” Nienhuis said, adding that she believes the library should serve all patrons but the homeless population can crowd the building, especially when bringing in bags of belongings. “If there are 10 people there then it becomes hard for anyone to feel comfortable in there.”
Trustees met with city officials who deal with substance abuse and homeless issues Thursday, and Lavery said they were continuing to look at partnerships.
“Joining other city agencies and local direct service agencies, the Library has spent the last several months determining how best to connect those experiencing homelessness and/or substance abuse with outreach and support services,” Lavery said in a statement. “We are currently working on plans for additional Outreach and Library Resource Personnel. Details will be forthcoming at a later date.”
Nienhuis also said substance abuse has been a problem for the South End branch library, with needles being found in the library in past years.
While the warm weather has given opioid addicts opportunities to use drugs outside, Nienhuis said she expects the problem to increase in the winter — especially because the library has the only public restroom in the neighborhood, giving people a place to hide out while they shoot up.
“The library is free for all, you can’t deny access to people until they become openly problematic,” Nienhuis said. “But people are secretly problematic and also in the library.”