Vulnerability, Boundary Management, and Providing Information Services to People Experiencing Homelessness

• DOI: 10.1080/01616846.2021.1934319
• Publication Date: 2021-05-31T21:24:22Z
• Authors: Rachel D. Williams
• Keywords: Vulnerability; Professional boundaries

This study examines how public librarians manage boundaries when providing information services to people experiencing homelessness. Drawing on interviews with twenty-four library staff at three systems in the Midwest United States and boundary work theory, this paper argues that navigate tensions professional personal boundaries, some of these can be attributed perceptions vulnerability both themselves patrons they support. The concludes by making arguments reconsider training partnerships enable re-conceptualize what their roles entail.