photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

The Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., is pictured Friday, May 27, 2022.

This weekend at the Lawrence Public Library, you’ll be able to find more than just a new book to read — like a haircut, flu shot or winter weather gear.

That’s because the library, 707 Vermont St., is hosting its annual Community Resource Fair on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. This is the third edition of the event, which helps visitors connect with more than a dozen local social service agencies offering free or low-cost resources for Douglas County residents. In total, 17 agencies will be on site to provide information about topics like affordable housing, child care, legal aid and more.

“We all hit bumps in the road sometimes and need support from others,” Marc Veloz, the library’s community resource specialist, said in a release announcing the event earlier this month. “Knowing where to turn makes all the difference. Some of our community members are unable to get their basic needs met due to a shortage of affordable housing, higher food prices, mental health struggles and more. We developed this event to make it easier for folks already facing challenges to connect the dots and find the help they need in one place.”

Some agencies will be providing more than just helpful information. Precision Cuts and Styles, for example, will offer free haircuts on a first-come, first-served basis, and the Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health mobile clinic will be parked out front offering COVID-19 vaccines and flu shots. Two local agencies, Give It Get It Inc. and Clare’s Community Closet, will have hats, gloves, scarves and socks available.

Here are the other agencies attending the community resource fair:

• The Ballard Center

• Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center

• Kansas Department for Children and Families

• Community Children’s Center

• Tenants to Homeowners

• Catholic Charities

• Willow Domestic Violence Center

• Lawrence Habitat for Humanity

• Douglas County Legal Self-Help Center

• Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority

• Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging

• Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas

• Independence Inc.

• LiveWell Douglas County

• Sexual Trauma and Abuse Care Center

• Treatment and Recovery Center of Douglas County

• Douglas County CASA

For those unable to make it to the fair, the library’s information services department maintains a quarterly resource guide with the most up-to-date details on service agencies in the area. The department also offers drop-in hours for local social service agencies.