Finding shelter between the shelves

The success of a book club for the homeless at Auckland’s Central City Library has led to weekly Monday movie sessions attracting around 40 attendees every week.

Librarian Hamish Noonan, who started the book club about 18 months ago in partnership with the Auckland City Mission, said the Monday movie sessions were co-organised by one of the book club members, who approached him with the idea.

Drawing from the library’s extensive DVD collection, and featuring a morning tea before each screening, the movie sessions have become an important weekly social gathering for the rough sleeping community away from the Auckland City Mission.

“It gives people a space to meet and talk, and talk about issues in a less formal setting, away from where they’d do counselling and get formal services,” Mr Noonan said.

While the book club has about 12 members, Mr Noonan said the movie screenings attract an average of 40 viewers each week.

Mr Noonan says the events have had a positive effect on the relationship between library staff and homeless patrons.

“We understand their issues a bit better and they’re more comfortable coming to us now for help to use the services.”

Wilf Holt, a spokesperson for the mission, praised the central library for recognising the many members of Auckland’s homeless community who use the library.

Mr Holt said about 160 people sleep rough on a regular basis in central Auckland and that it is important for them to have warm, safe places to go other than the mission, particularly during winter.

“We’re not open the whole time. Where do they go when it’s raining?”

He said libraries are a warm, safe and free alternative.

Mr Noonan said the library's partnership with the mission has seen library membership rates rise considerably.

“A whole lot more people have got library cards now. We’ve got around 100 people using the City Mission as an address.”

Mr Holt said libraries have traditionally been “user friendly for homeless people”.

“They’re a warm and safe place to spend time, and that’s no different around the country or around the world.”

He hopes similar initiatives will be repeated elsewhere.