Surveying Library Services to the Justice-Involved
Public libraries provide services that are critical to people who are recently released from jails and prisons, and to the families of people who are incarcerated—but did you realize that many public libraries also provide services directly to people in jails, prisons, and other detention centers? Library Services to the Justice Involved (LSJI), an ALA interest group, together with the Library Research Service (LRS), and independent researchers, are collecting information about the types of services that libraries outside of jails and prisons are providing for people impacted by incarceration. Examples include efforts as small as donating discards to a local jail or prison, or training staff to use people-first language, or larger, ongoing programs supported by partnerships—all examples of these services are helpful as we strive to better understand and support library work of this nature. The survey will run now through December 6th, 2021, and while it can take up to 45 minutes to complete, we hope that you will find the time to share your library’s story. Find the link to the survey here, and read more about library services to people impacted by incarceration here.
