As a not-yet-homeless person, I continue to spend hours every week in libraries, a habit my parents enabled during my childhood. Outside of wild spaces, my house and those of some friends and family, libraries are the most peaceful, safe places I know of, and I would take refuge there as I struggled toward better.
I have been in numerous libraries occupied by patrons who seem like they haven't washed their clothes in weeks. It is only slightly bothersome, because I empathize with them- they are each a fellow human making a life and I try not to assume more than that. I am grateful that public libraries exist, AND we clearly need to make some changes at all levels of government so that libraries are not so overwhelmed.
