Portland Public Library is rooted in community, a free and accessible space for all to enjoy. Here, visitors know everyone is invited to browse and be inspired by an abundance of books, music, art… but the library offers so much more. It serves as a safe space where vulnerable community members can feel welcomed and supported by compassionate staff.
Elisa, PPL’s Community Resource Coordinator, is part of the Downtown Library Safety Team that works with the Portland community to create a reliable and dignified experience for all patrons who visit.
Eliza’s work consists of two main roles: (1) Responding to the day-to-day needs of patrons experiencing a mental health crisis and connecting them to appropriate resources, (2) Building and strengthening relationships with dedicated community service organizations to meet the needs of the community.
Eliza, Community Resource Coordinator Connects Compassion to Community
“Libraries often become the “catch-all” for the many gaps in systems/institutions. The library is their safe place. It is where they can gather and find information to get their needs met. My favorite part of working at PPL building relationships with our most vulnerable community members and patrons, learning more about them, and establishing a sense of trust.”
The work is also challenging. Given the complexity of at-risk patrons, not all situations result in the successful alignment of individuals with services that would best serve them.
“I think the most challenging part of my work at PPL is when interactions with patrons do not end positively. It can be frustrating when you want a different outcome, however, I know that most of the time, underneath that surface level of anger/frustration, is not getting their needs met.”
Eliza focuses on what is possible, the life-changing opportunities that can happen when organizations come together and share resources to meet the community’s needs. These partnerships make all the difference.
“Having a presence and engaging in communities we may not normally reach is a fantastic way to share ideas, resources, and services the library can provide to them. I enjoy connecting with other organizations and learning more about their work to bring back to my team and our patrons. It is so fulfilling to have positive interactions with community members and be a friendly face for them at the library!”
Eliza brings her work to the community and shares library resources at local events.
Eliza imagines the library fulfilling a bigger role in the health and wellness of our community. She envisions a dedicated private space within the library where partnering organizations and agencies are able to meet with clients to connect them with essential resources that have direct impact on the quality of their life: free access to psychiatric care/services, emergency housing, financial services/education, government programs (like WIC, SNAP), career services, and childcare.
“I am grateful to work with professionals who advocate for underserved populations, and I am genuinely inspired by the resilience of some of the patrons I work with who have placed trust in me and the library as an accessible safe space.”
If you share Eliza’s practical and compassionate approach to improving lives and equal access to opportunities, consider it a gift to the library to support meaningful partnerships.
“Portland Public Library is fortunate to have Eliza as part of the Safety Team. She brings her compassion, understanding, and welcoming demeanor to our patrons. We are grateful to have her knowledge and skills on our team.” Kathleen Cleary, Safety Manager
In addition to her community resource work, Eliza also maintains the Downtown Library Trivia Board!
posted: , by Heather Wasklewicz
