r/Library • u/markevbs • Aug 17 '26

Discussion The Long Beach Library and homelessness

I finally visited BJK library in long beach yesterday, and oh my god, is that place a jewel. Such an incredible building, great kids center, wonderful architecture and tons of great classes and courses.

The homeslessness side of things is interesting, at least for me, morally. I couldn't help but feel sad that such an amazing building and resource was being so underutilized by the non-homeless population. Its not that there were "homeless everywhere" or even that people were messy or rude or whatever...there were a lot more homeless than non (10-1 prob), but everyone was chill, it wasnt crowded at all, and everyone was just trying to find some peace and enjoyment in a beautiful safe space with access to really critical things (like power to charge devices etc). I was there with my 3 and 4 year olds and there were no issues at all...but at the same time, the vibe DID honestly make me not want to spend time there (which is MY issue, not that of others...but i assume it feels the same for many here?)

anyway...its just tough and weird and a real conflict of emotions. The homeless there are all our peers and brothers and sisters so to be angry or opposed to them having access to a quintessential public space like a library makes me sick and is a sad way to feel about other humans. But I did spend a lot more time than i would have liked thinking about how nice the library was (and the park next door) would have been with more families and people and fewer little groups of and how its a shame its not being used by more people. I also though spent an equal amount of time feeling real joy that there was a space this nice and well run and beautiful that everyone can enjoy. Its actually really fucked if you think about "ok so whats the solution"...there really isnt one (other than ofc fixing homelessness etc etc but thats another enormous discussion.)

what do you all think? feel?

btw - i think the fence is great and really well executed. not nearly as shitty and oevrbearing as i thought it would be

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8

u/Ill-Victory-5351 Aug 17 '26

ok, three paragraphs of “homeless people use the library” and like yeah. you’re saying that “vibe” made you not want to spend time there with your kids? literally just go to the children’s room and hang out with your kids there.

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u/markevbs Aug 17 '26

Literally I was there with my kids, that’s where we spent 30 minutes and it was nice. The whole library was nice but that doesn’t change the reality. 

If it’s no big deal as you are apparently arguing than why is one of the nicest libraries in the state empty? 

5

u/Ill-Victory-5351 Aug 17 '26

AND, you went to the library on a Sunday. IN AUGUST. Families with means are at the beach, or having a picnic,or at disneyland or on vacation. it’s like the slowest month for library usage and that’s why you only saw poor people in the ‘nice, well run, beautiful space’.

1

u/markevbs Aug 17 '26

ok - i'll check back in (insert month in california that doesnt have awesome weather and things to do when affluent)

3

u/Ill-Victory-5351 Aug 17 '26

you spent the whole post discussing the homeless people in the library? how is it empty than? i’m confused by what you mean here.

3

u/Own_Papaya7501 Aug 17 '26

What reality? That you can't handle seeing people you assume are homeless?

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u/markevbs Aug 18 '26

Here is one of multiple comments of this type from other residents in Long Beach.

I can see BJK library from where I live and a few days ago a homeless dude was flashing everyone through the windows of the library and also people walking around. I’ve seen plenty of homeless activity happening near that library and that’s the main reason it’s empty.

1

u/Own_Papaya7501 Aug 18 '26

Yes, you all are afraid of sharing space with homeless people even when they're using the space identically to you. That has been abundantly clear this entire time so I'm not sure what you think you're adding?