Library changes borrowing policy for homeless

September 14, 2006

 

Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)

By Jacqueline Reis TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

jreis@telegram.com

 

WORCESTER— Worcester Public Library patrons will need a driver’s license, state ID card or other proof of identity and address to get a library card, but homeless patrons, if they can receive mail at a shelter or elsewhere, will be able to take out as many books as anyone else.

 

The library’s Board of Directors decided on the changes Tuesday. The library is facing a lawsuit because of its previous policy of limiting homeless people and people living at specific addresses, such as some shelters and hospitals, to two items. Library officials said they instituted the old policy because a disproportionate number of materials were never returned after being checked out to people at those addresses.

 

Jay Scully, president of the library’s Board of Directors, said in a prepared statement Tuesday: “We reviewed our borrowing policy and made several refinements to ensure fairness while maintaining our fiduciary responsibilities to the taxpayers of Worcester.”

 

Head Librarian Penelope B. Johnson said that in cases in which patrons do not have a driver’s license, ID card or other proof of residence, the library will mail them a postcard, which the individual can then bring back to the library for proof that they can receive mail. “That’s the only way we can get in touch,” Ms. Johnson said.

 

Everyone who has a library card will be treated equally: They can take out two items during their first visit and up to 50 thereafter, Ms. Johnson said. Previously, people who listed their address as a shelter could only take out two items. The library no longer keeps a list of such addresses, Ms. Johnson said.

 

Jonathan L. Mannina, executive director of Legal Assistance Corp. of Central Massachusetts, said it’s too soon to say whether the suit will be dropped. He, Kate J. Fitzpatrick of Legal Assistance and John Reinstein of the American Civil Liberties Union represent the plaintiffs in the lawsuit: three homeless people, the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance and the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless.

 

“I think the library has taken a positive step in response to the lawsuit, but we’re still in ongoing negotiations, and I really can’t comment further at this point,” Mr. Mannina said.

 

Earlier this week, both sides in the suit asked a judge to postpone a scheduling conference, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 27, in part to continue discussions that could resolve the suit. The suit was filed in U.S. District Court in July.

 

Kevin Ksen, a participant in Real Solutions, a local group active on the library issue, said he attended Tuesday’s meeting and was pleased with the outcome. “We wanted to see people all being treated the same,” he said. “It feels at this point that that is the case.”

 

He said he’s waiting to see Legal Assistance’s review of the library’s new policy.

 

The library loses about a thousand items a year, and the price per item can range from $6 for a paperback book to $100 for DVD sets, Ms. Johnson said. The library plans to reach out to the community for support in recouping any losses. That support could take the form of fundraising or simply closer cooperation with agencies to recover books, she said.

 

Contact Jacqueline Reis by e-mail at jreis@telegram.com.