Homelessness is a recurrent topic of concern in public libraries. At times, staff at public libraries interact with almost as many patrons experiencing homelessness as staff at shelters do. This presentation will highlight best practices and give guidance that frontline staff can use to better understand and serve this diverse population of patrons experiencing homelessness. As a result of this program, participants will:

• Learn how to assess the needs of the transient communities they serve, identify defects, and develop ways to support them

• Learn how to create relevant and impactful programs for patrons experiencing homelessness

 • Gain confidence in working with patrons experiencing homelessness

 • Learn how to deescalate situations in the library and increase compliance with patron’s experience of homelessness

• Acquire best practices tools and techniques to better understand and serve this population