This Librarian Brings Books, Resources To Homeless People On Skid Row. Now She's Gaining National Recognition
This Librarian Brings Books, Resources To Homeless People On Skid Row. Now She's Gaining National Recognition
This Librarian Brings Books, Resources To Homeless People On Skid Row. Now She's Gaining National Recognition Libraries really do have it all. Specifically, at the Los Angeles Public Library’s Central Library, there’s Amanda Mellor. The entrance of the L.A. Central Library. Photo courtesy of Kansas Sebastian (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) Mellor is an adult librarian at LAPL, but she also doubles as Persons Experiencing Homelessness Outreach Librarian. “What that means is I am a reference librarian, as well as someone that goes out into the nearby community and connects people who are experiencing homelessness, or other life instabilities, with library resources,” Mellor describes in a recent TikTok for the LAPL. “I sign folks up for library cards, talk about all the wonderful free programs and services, and invite them to the Central Library,” she added. By taking a mobile outreach approach, Mellor connects people on the streets to the library by bringing its offerings to them. She specifically wor…