1. Amy Mars Hennepin County Library/St. Catherine University Hawaiian Library Association Conference 2014 Amy Mars Hennepin County Library/St. Catherine University Hawaiian Library Association Conference 2014

2. Equity & Access Community Partners Targeted Services Starting a Public Dialogue Public Libraries for Health Toolkit

3. Equity & Access Community Partners Targeted Services Starting a Public Dialogue Public Libraries for Health Toolkit

4. What is the difference between equity and equality?

5. What does equity mean for libraries? In order to maximize opportunities for access experienced by certain groups, a good society commits resources in order to level the playing field…if access policies concentrate solely on the objective of equality without reference to equity, their achievements will be flawed because those struggling to catch up will fall farther behind. “ ” From “Equity & Access of Access: What’s the Difference?” prepared by Nancy Kranich for the American Library Association

6. Common Barriers Library card requirements Fines/Lost Material Charges Transportation Conduct Codes Staff attitudes/awareness

7. No permanent address card Fine reconcilitation Volunteering Program participation Amnesty weeks Payment plans Fine waiver for circumstances like eviction, incarceration & bankruptcy

8. On-site programs & services Bring the library into the community! Shelter Book Collections: Materials: Carefully selected weeded materials in good condition New materials funded by Friends Examples: LGBTQ YA Books for support group at Bridge for Youth Health picture books for family health program at People Serving People

9. Conduct Codes Respect patrons’ constitutional rights Target behaviors, not patrons To promote a safe, welcoming environment for all: Ask yourself, can I enforce this equally? Be aware of possible mental health issues Mars, A. (2012). Library service to the homeless. Public Libraries, 51(2), 32-35.

10. Raising awareness & empathy

12. Equity & Access Community Partners Targeted Services Starting a Public Dialogue Public Libraries for Health Toolkit

13. Working with community partners Who? Community nonprofits & shelters Governmental agencies School homeless liaison Local businesses Building mutually beneficial relationships Challenges & opportunities

14. Equity & Access Community Partners Targeted Services Starting a Public Dialogue Public Libraries for Health Toolkit

15. Connecting patrons to community resources

16. “I Dream at the library”

17. Equity & Access Community Partners Targeted Programming Starting a Public Dialogue Public Libraries for Health Toolkit

18. Raising Awareness

19. Equity & Access Community Partners Targeted Programming Starting a Public Dialogue Public Libraries for Health Toolkit

20. Public Libraries for Health: www.publiclibrariesforhealth.org/

21. Amy Mars Hennepin County Library/St. Catherine University amars@hclib.org 651-690-6202 Amy Mars Hennepin County Library/St. Catherine University amars@hclib.org 651-690-6202