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labibliobecca's review against another edition
4.0
An important book for public library employees, but more generally, Dowd’s message about choosing an empathy-driven approach (as opposed to punishment-driven) can benefit anyone in whose work involves serving others.
Dowd is undoubtedly qualified to offer insight. He has worked with people experiencing homelessness for decades. This book is a wealth of information, without being dense. There are lots of cross-references, showing how techniques relate and overlap.
Dowd describes homelessness (and those experiencing it) with nuance. He prepares you for what to do when a situation turns dangerous, but emphasizes that fear is often unfounded and due to stigma. It’s not too idealistic, though. It’s more like he’s saying, “When you do this, you’re making it worse. Do this instead.” The result is a lot of small ways to make any patron feel respected, even as you’re telling them they need to stop and/or leave.
Time for qualms. The constant references to pop culture and public figures are both grating and confusing. There are some points I wish he spent more time covering, and others that grew really redundant. His takes on gender and sex work were bad. I don’t know how else to put that. He was strangely dismissive for a book so focused on empathy (it is literally in the title).
In all, the meat of it is compelling, much more so than my recent read of [b:Crucial Conversations|15014|Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High|Kerry Patterson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497193248l/15014._SX50_.jpg|2051713].
Dowd is undoubtedly qualified to offer insight. He has worked with people experiencing homelessness for decades. This book is a wealth of information, without being dense. There are lots of cross-references, showing how techniques relate and overlap.
Dowd describes homelessness (and those experiencing it) with nuance. He prepares you for what to do when a situation turns dangerous, but emphasizes that fear is often unfounded and due to stigma. It’s not too idealistic, though. It’s more like he’s saying, “When you do this, you’re making it worse. Do this instead.” The result is a lot of small ways to make any patron feel respected, even as you’re telling them they need to stop and/or leave.
Time for qualms. The constant references to pop culture and public figures are both grating and confusing. There are some points I wish he spent more time covering, and others that grew really redundant. His takes on gender and sex work were bad. I don’t know how else to put that. He was strangely dismissive for a book so focused on empathy (it is literally in the title).
In all, the meat of it is compelling, much more so than my recent read of [b:Crucial Conversations|15014|Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High|Kerry Patterson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497193248l/15014._SX50_.jpg|2051713].
katef's review against another edition
4.0
Practical, insightful and engaging. This has great tips for all types of conflict resolution and de-escalation, but excels in providing an empathy window into the lives of those experiencing homelessness. A great reminder of the individuality of our internal lives, and how important it is for those of us in public service to keep empathy and calm at the forefront. I did bristle at the tactic of blaming policies on 'the man' - maybe because I kind of am the man? But also because I think it's important to be able to explain policies, that the policies themselves are reasonable, and that I as a staff member can stand behind them.
biblioventurer's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book as part of a continuing education class offered by the University of Wisconsin and taught by Ryan Dowd (though I should note that it was not the finalized version). I appreciated Ryan's experience in working with the homeless, as well as the tools he offered that apply not only to this group but also to other difficult patron interactions. There were a few tools that aren't a good fit for me or my library, but the majority of the book was very useful, especially the personal anecdotes he offers as examples of both the mindset of homeless patrons and the right and wrong ways to interact with them.
rea_scott's review against another edition
5.0
If I could assign required reading for someone entering the library field this would be at the top of the list.
Dowd is loving, nurturing, funny (which is always appreciated), and learned. His years of experience shine.
Dowd is loving, nurturing, funny (which is always appreciated), and learned. His years of experience shine.
noveladdiction's review against another edition
5.0
Such a good resource!!! I'm glad my library system owns a copy of this. I definitely know I'm going to want to go back and re-read some of the tips.
akthackray's review
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Straightforward, helpful, and realistic with a sprinkling of humor. The author has clearly and demonstrably worked with homeless individuals and knows what he’s talking about. I’m not a librarian yet but I’m starting my masters in library science in order to be one, and this book made me feel more confident in my decision by affirming my desire to help people (particularly unhoused people) and by giving me tools to actually be able to do so.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Medical trauma, and Abandonment
jsjammersmith's review against another edition
4.0
Working in a public library I've encountered a wide variety of homeless individuals, and like the different sorts of people who walk through the doors of any library, every one of these experiences was different. Ryan J. Dowd's book, however, gave me an opportunity to reflect upon my experiences and determine whether or not I had actually provided these people with real help.
Dowd's book is not perfect. There are many instances where he provides examples of things that could happen on the job without offering a possible solution. And, it really needs to be emphasized, he makes an argument at one point that being a woman should or would not have any bearing on dealing with male patrons...this is just, not true. I'll leave it to the many female reviewers who have already explained this much better than I could anyway.
For its weaknesses, Dowd's book is a great resource because it does provide plenty of strategies for working with homeless patrons. And most importantly his repeated emphasis on empathy is what makes the book what it is. Homeless individuals suffer a tremendous amount of pain and adversity and Dowd reminds his reader that as librarians and library employees it's our job to help every patron regardless of their living situation. It's when we recognize the humanity of every patron that we perform our best as public servants, and when we offer the homeless a warm, dry place full of books we offer them more than just our service, we offer the chance to see them as people.
Dowd's book is not perfect. There are many instances where he provides examples of things that could happen on the job without offering a possible solution. And, it really needs to be emphasized, he makes an argument at one point that being a woman should or would not have any bearing on dealing with male patrons...this is just, not true. I'll leave it to the many female reviewers who have already explained this much better than I could anyway.
For its weaknesses, Dowd's book is a great resource because it does provide plenty of strategies for working with homeless patrons. And most importantly his repeated emphasis on empathy is what makes the book what it is. Homeless individuals suffer a tremendous amount of pain and adversity and Dowd reminds his reader that as librarians and library employees it's our job to help every patron regardless of their living situation. It's when we recognize the humanity of every patron that we perform our best as public servants, and when we offer the homeless a warm, dry place full of books we offer them more than just our service, we offer the chance to see them as people.
renee7995's review against another edition
3.0
I read this book for one of the prompts for the Read Harder challenge. I thought it would be a useful read as I volunteer at my public library. Overall, I thought it was just ok. There was a lot of useful information in it, but a lot of the information was stuff I already know. Overall, I gave this 3/5 stars.
tazian's review against another edition
5.0
So to all of my librarian friends out there, you should read this book!!!
This is a great guide on how to deal with, well, basically everyone (not only homeless). There are so many tips, and tricks, and ideas to help you become a great librarian. I've been working in libraries for 15 years, and I have had to learn some of these things the hard way. I wish I had this book years ago! And even with already using some of these techniques, there is so much more that I never even thought of or could even try to come up with!
I kinda wish I was manager so I could make all my coworkers read it (so I will just stick with bugging them until they do).
This is a great guide on how to deal with, well, basically everyone (not only homeless). There are so many tips, and tricks, and ideas to help you become a great librarian. I've been working in libraries for 15 years, and I have had to learn some of these things the hard way. I wish I had this book years ago! And even with already using some of these techniques, there is so much more that I never even thought of or could even try to come up with!
I kinda wish I was manager so I could make all my coworkers read it (so I will just stick with bugging them until they do).