{"id":1453,"date":"2024-04-16T12:02:23","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T16:02:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/?p=1453"},"modified":"2024-04-18T10:43:20","modified_gmt":"2024-04-18T14:43:20","slug":"survey-results-library-services-for-justice-impacted-individuals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/2024\/04\/16\/survey-results-library-services-for-justice-impacted-individuals\/","title":{"rendered":"Survey Results: Library Services for Justice-Impacted Individuals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>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. \u201cThe results confirm that libraries want to do more to provide services, but they need support, staffing and funding to do so,\u201d said Ms. Dowds. Many libraries stated that they simply \u201cdon\u2019t know where to begin.\u201d 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\u2019s ongoing efforts to support libraries as they provide services to incarcerated people and reentry services or support for returning citizens at libraries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>General:<\/strong><br>\u2022 48 Respondents<br>\u2022 40 Public Libraries<br><br><strong>Outreach:<\/strong><br>\u2022 9 currently provide outreach to incarcerated individuals<br>\u2022 Blend of book donations, legal support and comprehensive services<br><br><strong>Outreach Needs:<\/strong><br>\u2022 Continuing Education and Staffing were primary needs of those currently providing outreach services<br>\u2022 New outreach &#8211; 29 responded &#8220;Where do I begin?&#8221;; 25 needed connection to a partnership. Continuing education also a big factor<br><br><strong>Reentry:<\/strong><br>\u2022 4 libraries currently provide reentry services or support returning citizens at the library<br>\u2022 37 libraries reported they do not<br><br><strong>Reentry Needs:<\/strong><br>\u2022 24 reported needing more information<br>\u2022 26 reported &#8220;Where do I begin?&#8221;<br>\u2022 23 reported needing access to community partners<br>\u2022 Continuing education, community partnerships were top responses<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Survey Responses<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"827\" height=\"618\" src=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/01librarytype-1.jpg\" alt=\"Survey question &quot;Please select your type of library&quot; with responses 40 public, 1 school, 1 academic, 6 special. The special libraries are all law libraries.\" class=\"wp-image-1462\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/01librarytype-1.jpg 827w, https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/01librarytype-1-300x224.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/01librarytype-1-768x574.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 827px) 100vw, 827px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"524\" src=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/02servicesprovided-1-e1713278209333.jpg\" alt=\"Survey question &quot;Does your library currently provide outreach services to a local jail, prison, or youth detention center?&quot; with responses 9 yes, 38 no, and 1 other\" class=\"wp-image-1461\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/02servicesprovided-1-e1713278209333.jpg 796w, https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/02servicesprovided-1-e1713278209333-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/02servicesprovided-1-e1713278209333-768x506.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Type of outreach reported<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Book donations and access to book sale items&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Institutional library card for staff to reserve and check out items to bring back to facility&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Outreach visits to facilities to give book talks, book groups, technology and art programming, and occasional author talks&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Greenfield Community College offers courses and library services at Franklin County House of Corrections&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Legal reference question support&nbsp;<br><br><strong>*<\/strong>\u201dYes\u201d respondents were (1) juvenile detention center, (5) county jails or House of Corrections, (3) state prisons.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/03support-e1713278510927.jpg\" alt=\"Survey question &quot;If yes, does your library need additional support?&quot; with responses 1 funding, 4 staffing, 6 continuing education, 2 other.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/04data-e1713278440983.jpg\" alt=\"Survey question &quot;If your library provides outreach services to incarcerated individuals, do you collect data (statistical or anecdotal) to show the impact or efficacy of your services?&quot; with responses 4 yes, 8 no.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/05partnering-e1713278555467.jpg\" alt=\"Survey question &quot;Would your library be interested in partnering with a local jail, prison, or a youth detention center to provide supportive library services to individuals experiencing incarceration?&quot; with responses 6 already do, 13 yes, 13 maybe, 16 need more information.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/06needs-e1713278626313.jpg\" alt=\"Survey question &quot;If yes, or considering, outreach to incarcerated individuals, what does your library need?&quot; with responses 18 continuing education, 25 partnership or connection to institution, 15 funding, 29 where do I begin?, 5 other.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>\u201cOther\u201d response:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>More staff&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Method of delivery of materials to institution&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Loss prevention around materials&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inactive library cards&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/07reentry.jpg\" alt=\"Survey question &quot;Does your library currently provide services, resources or programs for returning citizens or reentry support?&quot; with responses 4 yes, 37 no, 7 other.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Types of re-entry support:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Re-entry fairs and Re-entry Center partnerships\/drop-in services&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Legal support&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Internet access&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Digital literacy and tech support around social service applications (ie, Registry of Motor Vehicles, housing)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CORI-sealing workshops&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/08reentrysupport-e1713280924205.jpg\" alt=\"Survey question &quot;If yes, does your library need additional support?&quot; with responses 4 funding, 4 staffing, 8 continuing education, 8 community partners.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/09reentrydata-e1713278750236.jpg\" alt=\"Survey question &quot;If your library provides reentry services to returning citizens, do you collect data (statistical or anecdotal) to show the impact or efficacy of your services?&quot; with responses 1 yes, 6 no.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/10reentryinterest-e1713278775373.jpg\" alt=\"Survey question &quot;Would your library be interested in providing reentry support services to returning citizens?&quot; with responses 2 already do, 16 yes, 6 maybe, 24 need more information.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/11reentryneeds-e1713281351661.jpg\" alt=\"Survey question &quot;If yes, or considering, reentry support services at your library, what does your library need?&quot; with responses 20 continuing education, 23 community partners, 16 funding, 26 where do I begin?, 4 other.\" style=\"width:654px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/12outreachstaff-e1713280898435.jpg\" alt=\"Survey question &quot;Does your library have a librarian that could or does provide outreach in the community?&quot; with responses 27 yes, 7 no, 11 would like to, 3 developing a new position.\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If yes, who?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Admin (Director\/Assistant Director): 5&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adult Services: 5&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All departments: 5&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Outreach Librarian: 4&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Youth Services: 5&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Other: 3&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If no, reasons?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Funding, funding, funding&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Time&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Staffing&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Development of new position&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Community\/administrative support, funding, continuing education, blueprint for how to create position&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Need community input, interest and prioritization&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Justification and buy-in to bring library services beyond library walls&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Additional Comments:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Barriers to library card signups such as ID requirements, lost materials, old charges, etc.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collaboration with initiatives such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/prisonbookprogram.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Prison Book Program<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/plsn-nyc.tumblr.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Prison Library Support Network<\/a>&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Map or directory of youth detention centers, points of contact for carceral facilities&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Library programs\/support to expunge records&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continuing education on topics such as outreach partnerships (establishing, maintaining), library services to incarcerated individuals&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Library to library collaboration to share outreach responsibilities, alleviate burden on staffing and funding, etc.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cI would like to see social work and other services available right here in the library\u2026\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cWe would be interested in learning more\u2026\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cA huge barrier is finding prisons and jails with libraries [and] staff tasked to manage them.\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cI\u2026believe that helping people who are incarcerated is incredibly important and would like to see our library organization do more\u2026\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201c\u2026 be a known ally [for incarcerated youth]\u2026\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201c\u2026extremely important work\u2026 I&#8217;m grateful for all libraries that are providing this for incarcerated individuals\u2026 potential to have life-changing outcomes\u2026\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201c\u2026[I]t&#8217;s important for libraries to provide more than just materials to incarcerated patrons\u2026\u201d<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[3,38],"class_list":["post-1453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-mblc","tag-libraries","tag-massachusetts-libraries"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1453","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1453"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1453\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1485,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1453\/revisions\/1485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1453"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1453"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mblc.state.ma.us\/mblc_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1453"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}