I just read a really interesting article about a book club at a homeless shelter in Cleveland. Men who have no bookshelves, not even their own chair or bed to read in, are reading two books a month thanks to a partnership between the Cleveland Public Library and the 2100 Lakeside Men's Shelter.
"We love books," said Willie Griggs, who has had heart surgery and walks with a cane. "We don't have a TV we can carry around with us."
Instead of watching TV in one of the living areas, called "communities," 15 men came to talk about Frank McCourt's "Angela's Ashes."
The shelter nurse says that it's easier to broach sensitive subjects after talking about the books the men are reading. What I find touching is that reading stories helps the men deal with their own life stories.
[Nurse] Kelly has found that the men are more open to counsel on health-related topics, such as how to talk to a doctor, when it relates to the experience of a character in a book they love. Sometimes, the book club has spurred its members to make more significant changes. For instance, during a book club field trip to hear an author's talk, one man acknowledged his alcohol problem and said he was ready to see a counselor.
...
Kelly has noticed that participants "pick the place where the character is at the crossroads." They know they're at the same point, and they're trying to get someplace better.
I know urban public libraries also function as homeless shelters—maybe instead of just leaving these people alone and isolated they should be invited to read together. They probably have enthusiastic readers in their midst and don't even know it.
