Jamie Spinelli’s job as a case manager for Community Services Northwest takes her to parks, homeless shelters, the jail and street encampments across the community.

“We just go wherever they are,” she said, “and there’s a lot at the library.”

As part of a pilot project that launched last month, Spinelli began spending her Tuesday mornings at the downtown Vancouver Community Library. She helps people there navigate resources and services so they know where to find food and shelter, and how to sign up for housing assistance.

“It just makes sense to come in here one day a week for a couple of hours. If there’s anybody who wants to meet with me, they can,” Spinelli said. “I’ve never wanted to intrude upon someone’s library time. They have a right to that just like anyone without being interrupted, but I also want to be available as much as possible.”

Scott Phillips didn’t know all the housing options available to him. The 59-year-old thought if he accepted housing assistance, he had to live at Lincoln Place. Not the case, Spinelli explained, when they talked at the library last month.