To bathe, he hung water jugs on a wire, stood underneath and unscrewed the caps. He kept his feet out of the mud by standing on a discarded chunk of bathroom tile. His social skills atrophied. In between hitting soup kitchens, he and other homeless people took refuge at public libraries. This is where Mr. Pierce discovered his knack for computers.
Libraries often serve as day centers for the homeless.
Traditional shelters lock their doors during the day, expecting people to find work or enroll in self-improvement programs. But individuals like Mr. Pierce chafe under too many rules, says Ms. Young, the Welcome House director. Pierce helps James Griffith of Covington with an Internet search at the Recovery Network of Northern Kentucky. But at the same time, librarians aren't psychologists or social workers. When people have personal problems, clashes can result.