[greenyouse]

The situation is the same in Minneapolis but so what? I've been a library patron since I was a little kid and spent time there weekly for the last few years. The majority of people at the library are homeless or low income and yes they take up seating. They're just people though. If it was filled by academics or suits would the limited seating be such an issue?

Maybe the library means different things to different people. For them it's a place to loiter with air conditioning and free wifi. For upper and middle class, a place to gain knowledge or have fun. For aspiring writers, a place to attend workshops and talk with other authors. Does it matter if they loiter though? I've taken naps and played with my phone at the library too.

In over fifteen years of going to the library, I've only ever had one homeless person be aggressive towards me and security gave them the boot right away. You're probably more likely to be mugged on the street than attacked while reading a book at the library.

This feels more like an image problem. Being surrounded by poor people may not feel good but I don't see a problem with it. They're just people doing something at the library. More power to them if they're using the library for job resources or want free internet access.

[mahyarm]

I'm guessing the homeless in your area don't use the library pillars as a toliet daily and smell like something similar.