To better understand library services to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, Ally Dowds, Consultant to Special Populations at the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, recently conducted a survey of public, school, academic, and special libraries. Of the 48 respondents, 9 currently provide outreach services to incarcerated individuals and 4 support reentry efforts in their communities. “The results confirm that libraries want to do more to provide services, but they need support, staffing and funding to do so,” said Ms. Dowds. Many libraries stated that they simply “don’t know where to begin.” Libraries also reported needing better connection to community partners and access to continuing education to prepare staff. The survey is the first step in the MBLC’s ongoing efforts to support libraries as they provide services to incarcerated people and reentry services or support for returning citizens at libraries.
Overview
General:
• 48 Respondents
• 40 Public Libraries
Outreach:
• 9 currently provide outreach to incarcerated individuals
• Blend of book donations, legal support and comprehensive services
Outreach Needs:
• Continuing Education and Staffing were primary needs of those currently providing outreach services
• New outreach – 29 responded “Where do I begin?”; 25 needed connection to a partnership. Continuing education also a big factor
Reentry:
• 4 libraries currently provide reentry services or support returning citizens at the library
• 37 libraries reported they do not
Reentry Needs:
• 24 reported needing more information
• 26 reported “Where do I begin?”
• 23 reported needing access to community partners
• Continuing education, community partnerships were top responses
Survey Responses
Type of outreach reported
- Book donations and access to book sale items
- Institutional library card for staff to reserve and check out items to bring back to facility
- Outreach visits to facilities to give book talks, book groups, technology and art programming, and occasional author talks
- Greenfield Community College offers courses and library services at Franklin County House of Corrections
- Legal reference question support
*”Yes” respondents were (1) juvenile detention center, (5) county jails or House of Corrections, (3) state prisons.
“Other” response:
- More staff
- Method of delivery of materials to institution
- Loss prevention around materials
- Inactive library cards
Types of re-entry support:
- Re-entry fairs and Re-entry Center partnerships/drop-in services
- Legal support
- Internet access
- Digital literacy and tech support around social service applications (ie, Registry of Motor Vehicles, housing)
- CORI-sealing workshops
If yes, who?
- Admin (Director/Assistant Director): 5
- Adult Services: 5
- All departments: 5
- Outreach Librarian: 4
- Youth Services: 5
- Other: 3
If no, reasons?
- Funding, funding, funding
- Time
- Staffing
- Development of new position
- Community/administrative support, funding, continuing education, blueprint for how to create position
- Need community input, interest and prioritization
- Justification and buy-in to bring library services beyond library walls
Additional Comments:
- Barriers to library card signups such as ID requirements, lost materials, old charges, etc.
- Collaboration with initiatives such as the Prison Book Program or Prison Library Support Network
- Map or directory of youth detention centers, points of contact for carceral facilities
- Library programs/support to expunge records
- Continuing education on topics such as outreach partnerships (establishing, maintaining), library services to incarcerated individuals
- Library to library collaboration to share outreach responsibilities, alleviate burden on staffing and funding, etc.
“I would like to see social work and other services available right here in the library…”
“We would be interested in learning more…”
“A huge barrier is finding prisons and jails with libraries [and] staff tasked to manage them.”
“I…believe that helping people who are incarcerated is incredibly important and would like to see our library organization do more…”
“… be a known ally [for incarcerated youth]…”
“…extremely important work… I’m grateful for all libraries that are providing this for incarcerated individuals… potential to have life-changing outcomes…”
“…[I]t’s important for libraries to provide more than just materials to incarcerated patrons…”
Good afternoon,
Would it be possible to have a pdf version of these results sent to the State Library for our government documents program?
Thank you!