Libraries give underprivileged people free access to internet and a computer. This allows many people who would otherwise be unable to afford this luxury a chance to apply for work, find helpful outreach programs, and even find local boarding. This opportunity is incredibly meaningful to someone who may not know where to look or what to do next. Being a guiding light for someone’s darkest moments is something a lone computer in an empty library can give someone. The public space helps people to feel less stimulated and embarrassed than something like an internet cafe might be.

An ALA outreach program titled the Hunger, Homelessness & Poverty Task Force has been creating non judgemental services since 1990. From their About page, it is safe to gather that “libraries and librarians must recognize and help solve social problems and inequities in order to carry out their mandate to work for the common good and bolster democracy” (10). This means that people who have been misrepresented, such as the homeless, deserve a community that would speak up for them. This encouragement of democracy for the unhoused would mean more resources to share and eventually methods towards becoming housed. Many volunteers can attest that clothing, shelter, and food is a luxury for most people. Providing a quiet atmosphere to sort out documents, applications, and information is key to a struggling person.

However, not everyone who needs free access is necessarily unhoused. An overwhelming amount of people today are in poverty. The average person just trying to scrape by rely on their public library’s access to the internet. I myself have used my local library to apply for work, print school assignments, and study for upcoming exams. My library provided a safe and calm environment to help me work through my tasks. Other families may need internet access for tutoring, live lectures, and other time sensitive work that is not possible at home.