Analysis of:
Homelessness and the Ethics of Information Access By Corina Bardoff
Is it legal or ethical to expel someone from a public
library because of their smell? Can the library block access because someone
makes other patrons uncomfortable due to appearance or behavior? What are
appropriate uses of library facilities? Should there be limits to the amount of
baggage that a patron may bring into the library building? The author of this
article attempted to address these questions by reviewing literature discussing
access, and restriction of access, of the homeless population to the public
library. Ms. Bardoff examined books, articles in various publications, behavior
policies of several urban libraries, and case law including LIS interpretations
to discuss whether blocking access to homeless patrons even passively violates
the mission of all public libraries.
The author begins by discussing what is and is not
appropriate patron behavior and using existing library behavioral policies to
define “problem patrons.” She reviewed appropriate and inappropriate uses of
the library and ultimately defined a “problem patron” as someone who disrupted
those around them and interfered with their ability to use library services.
While some policies listed specific criminal behaviors such as assault,
pedophilia, and violating another person’s privacy in the toilets most were
“nuisance” type behaviors. She found many similarities. Most libraries prohibit
offensive odors, begging, sleeping, bathing, loitering, littering, doing
laundry, and bringing wheeled items such as wagons or shopping carts into the building.
They require shirt, shoes and adequate clothing to be worn at all times. Most
limit the size and number of parcels that may be brought into the library with
patrons. For violation of these policies, patrons can be asked to leave, be
expelled from the library and library properties for a period of time (usually
somewhere between one day and one year) or they could face criminal prosecution
depending on the library, the city, and which ordinances are in place.
Next she uses examples of case law to discuss the legality
of restricting access to public libraries based on the above policies. While
the results of the individual trials were mixed. The general consensus of her
discussion is the the library is a limited public forum and as such, reasonable
limits can be placed on behaviors and library usage. Expelling someone from the
public library is legal as long as the rules about what constitutes a
disruption of use by other library patrons are specific, clear, fair and
equally enforced.
Finally, the author discussed whether these library policies
are just. Even if they are technically legal, is it right to expel library
patrons because they are homeless? Are these libraries failing in the mission
of all libraries by restricting access of homeless populations? Bardoff’s
overwhelming answer is “yes.” While it is widely considered both legal and
justifiable to restrict access to the public library based on odor, appearance,
and baggage those libraries are failing to meet the information needs of those
poorest patrons. Instead of building barriers to restrict access, they should
be building bridges and providing more outreach. The public library may be
their only access point to keep in touch with family and friends, read the
news, find jobs or housing and even just to read for pleasure. Blocking their
access to the library blocks access to that needed lifeline.
The theory being examined in this article is whether it is ethical to expel
homeless patrons from a public space such as the library. The theory
guiding the research would most likely be ALA/Professional Ethics
theory. The population is the homeless in general and in public libraries specifically. I understand and agree with Bardoff’s
conclusion,that public libraries should provide free and open access to
information, even to and perhaps especially to the homeless. I also understand
the plight of the library staff member when faced with a patron whose odor is
so bad that it is all you can do to keep from gagging. I understand the looks
of horror you get from patrons when you are trying to hush the schizophrenic
patron that is telling her invisible crew about cutting up her babies and
making them into hamburger. I sympathize with the patron who gives the side eye
to the man sprawled asleep in the library chair surrounded by a pile backpacks,
bags and boxes of all sizes. I feel the disgust when going to the bathroom area
and there is a man picking the lice out of his beard and hair by the communal
sinks. I know the sadness of having to call the police to escort someone that I
know is homeless out is below zero weather because he is obviously drunk and is
highly disruptive. Largely these people are ignored or marginalized. If they
are noticed most of the time, it is more of a “there but for the grace of God.
. .” kind of thought. There has to be a balance between providing these people
access to information and attempting to expel them from the library entirely.
Bardoff, Corina. "Homelessness and the Ethics of
Information Access." Serials Librarian 69, no. 3/4 (October 2015):
347-360. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed February 27, 2018).
