The Bradford Area Public Library invites the community to a free movie at 6 p.m. Monday.

In recognition of World Homeless Day, on Tuesday, BAPL will show “The Public,” in an effort to to focus on the issues of homelessness and inadequate housing.

Locally, library staff have noticed, “an uptick of homeless individuals at the library, oftentimes congregating on the front sidewalk in an effort to access our outside electrical outlets and free WiFi.”

They contend the library is a facility for all members of the community, even those who are transient; all are welcome. However, they noted, if someone appears to be under the influence of an intoxicant, exhibiting aggressive behaviors or infringing on the right of others to enjoy the library there is a problem. A call to the police to assist staff or to extricate individuals from the facility or grounds is sometimes the only option.

The movie is a fictional story of a Cincinnati librarian who gets caught between a group of homeless patrons staging a sit-in and a face-off with the local police and media. It takes place in the winter, in the middle of the country. Registration is not required to attend on Monday.

Library staff in Bradford noted, “While it is a fictional movie, it can showcase the unique position that public libraries are increasingly finding themselves in.”

Most acknowledge that there are countless factors contributing to the rise in homelessness and many communities are seeing it first-hand. Homelessness is not solely isolated to the nation’s urban centers.