Bibliography Annotations on Articles: Library Services to The Working Poor Betsy Summers Auld, H. (2005).

). Library services in low-income urban communities. Public Libraries, 44(6), 320-328. Auld collects eight different perspectives from librarians in urban settings across the country. Examples are given from each library how they address services and programming for their low-income patrons, including evaluation. Urban areas included in the article are Columbus, OH, Omaha, NE, Queens, NY, Phoenix, AZ, Indianapolis, IN, Arlington Heights, IL, Providence, RI, and Jacksonville, FL. This article offers us a diverse, yet outstanding collection of thoughts from librarians in the trenches, serving the working poor, and poor in general. Ideas range from partnerships with community colleges to job fairs (Omaha), to a Ride to Read program formed with the local transit authority (Jacksonville). A librarian talks about the challenges of program evaluation (Indianapolis), while one discusses the four guiding principles of the library services to the poor (Providence). This is a tremendous article and I would highly recommend it to any librarian in the need of inspiration. Whether starting a new program or needing to bring new life to an old one, these librarians offer solutions that have worked in their communities, and their stories give us hope.

 Betsy Summers Gieskes, L. (2009). ALA task force member survey on Policy 61. Progressive Librarian, 32, 82-87. The ALA conducted a survey on Policy 61, Library Services for the Poor in 2009, the latest and newest addition. The survey was sent out to external members of the ALA with only a small number (648) responding. The findings, however small, were rather telling of the profession and its overall service to this population. Gieskes does an excellent job in deciphering the data, and challenging some the inconsistencies in the responses. One such case was when 100% of the members answered the first question, "At our library the poor are: a) a scarcity; b) rather visible; c) numerous; d) a majority; e) do not use. Yet, they were then upset by the question, "My library identifies the poor in the following manner". Respondents did not like the idea of labeling their patrons, yet in the first question they were somehow able to identify who was using the library. I would recommend this article for anyone interested in services to their poor population, because it does an excellent job of calling attention to, and addressing, the assumption that libraries are doing everything they can to serve their patrons. Education of staff is mentioned as a key finding in the study. Getting the word out, providing on going programming and resources, as well as eliminating fees, are important ways for libraries to service this population.

Annotations on Websites: Informational Services to The Working Poor Betsy Summers www.workingpoorfamilies.org Formed as a national initiative, The Working Poor Families Project (WPFP) is focused on improving state workforce development policies. By partnering with nonprofit groups at the state level, WPFP begins with an assessment of the state's current conditions (economic and policy) that affecting working poor families. Steps are then taken to improve or strengthen those policies currently in place. The assessment allows states see how they stack up when compared to other states, they are given feedback on recommended actions, and informs key stakeholders how to work in collaboration with state nonprofits and other governmental agencies to improve policy. This website is full of useful information about each state, whether or not it has yet chosen to partner with WPFP. WPFP has created quantitative research using the latest census and state data, and has published this information on their website. They also have a Resources & Links page that lists governmental, policy wonks, and nonprofits organizations, all working toward a better more just economic climate in America. I would highly recommend this website for anyone interested in learning how to get involved in solving economic disparity in the United States. No matter how much we want things to change, the only way to really make a difference is through our government's policy and laws.

 Betsy Summers www.keeporegonworking.org Keep Oregon Working consists of a collaboration of individuals and organizations that are committed to keeping Oregon's economy strong through the preservation of jobs and the protection of the vulnerable. By forming an alliance to stand up for the working people in Oregon, Keep Oregon Working fights for long-term growth by creating a shared, level tax burden, fair economic prosperity, and protects social services to those who need them most. Keep Oregon Working points to the inequitable tax paid by corporations as part of the solution in putting Oregonians back to work in good paying jobs. Rich with information for the working people of Oregon, Keep Oregon Working is a website that shares resources, current news stories, and also shares real stories about the working poor. The Why We're In This Crisis page shows us in graphic detail the inequities of the banking crisis only sheds a more personal light on it. I would recommend and use this website for quick assess to many other organizations whose main purpose is to help the working poor in Oregon, including 211info, the Oregon Food Bank, and the Oregon Prescription Drug Program. There is an option on the website to sign up for newsletters and important updates; this would be a great resource for a librarian serving this population.

Material Resources: Information for The Working Poor Betsy Summers Oregon Health Authority Under the umbrella of the Oregon State Government, is the Oregon Health Authority, which is a information portal for everything to do with health care for babies up to seniors. This website is full of useful information on how to stay healthy, where to go to get free medical exams, and free vaccines for children. It includes links to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program run by the federal government, and lets patrons know if they are eligible and how to sign-up if they are. Also provided are links to recreations sites, like the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, lowcost dental care, newborn hearing screening, FEMA emergency preparedness, and ideas to keep neighborhoods safe places for kids. I would recommend this website to the head of a working poor family who is trying to do what's best for their household. A plethora of great information on one website, I wouldn't hesitate to offer this website for any question about where to go in all regards to health, fitness and recreation.

 Betsy Summers www.humansolutions.org Other than ones' health, housing ranks at the top of basic needs. Helping the working poor for over 20 year, Human Solutions offers multiple services to those living in or on the edge of poverty. With access to a wide range of services besides housing needs, Human Solutions offers information on emergency assistance, job training and counseling. The goal is to help families escape poverty and the "one crisis away" spiral into homelessness. Human Solutions is so much more that a "one-stop-shop" website. It is a place of families to connect and become part of their communities through interaction with a caring organization. The long-term effects of living on the edge of losing everything can take a toll on people; sometimes losing our humanness. Human Solutions offers hope to families who need to get their humanness back. In conjunction with the health website, Human Solutions offers working poor families hope and practical solutions to their "one crisis away" problems. It becomes so important to have a network of social services available to this population. To know that they are not alone, that there is help, is a service the library is perfectly able to provide.