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Medford library to host talk on homelessness By Vickie Aldous Nov 07, 2022 12:30 AM A A Luke Vranna, a senior nursing student with Oregon Health & Science University, prepares a foot soak for a homeless man at the Medford library during special morning hours for homeless people to clean up in public bathrooms, learn about local services and pick up food and supplies. [Jamie Lusch / Mail Tribune] The Medford library is hosting an informational program featuring five panelists connected with local government who will discuss their programs, services and responses to homeless people. The event is from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, at the library in downtown Medford, 205 S. Central Ave. “Understanding the diverse needs of and resources available to unhoused individuals living in the Medford area is important,” library Director Kari May said in a press release. “At the library, we’ve heard concerns that people do not feel safe entering our building because of the people who hang out around the building, and we want to help provide a forum for everyone to understand the challenges and support available to make the library and the entire downtown area a welcome and inviting place.” Panelists will include May, library social worker Haylie Courtney, Medford Deputy City Manager Kelly Madding, Medford police Chief Justin Ivens and Ashland police Chief Tighe O’Meara. They will answer questions asked by a moderator. Audience members also can share written questions with the moderator, who will pass them to the panel as time permits. Library managers said many local agencies are working together to address concerns about homelessness, including safety and social services. “It is not always easy to balance the needs of the unhoused with the safety concerns of downtown businesses and visitors, in part because of biases and misunderstandings around unsheltered persons and their use of public spaces. The goal of this program is to share how local agencies work together to provide services and resources for the unhoused while balancing the needs and concerns of the downtown area,” library managers said in the press release. Refreshments will be available. The program is made possible with support from Oregon Humanities, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Oregon Cultural Trust, The Standard, and Stoel Rives LLP. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Vickie Aldous at 541-776-4486 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @VickieAldous.