Know & Go: Expanding Library Services for Justice-Involved Patrons

Public libraries serve the entire community, including individuals who are justice-involved. Library resources and services can be vital to people affected by the justice system, and it is imperative to connect with and welcome this population to the library. Discover innovative methods St. Louis County Library has developed to serve justice-involved people in St. Louis, including:

• Making virtual library programming accessible for individuals at the St. Louis County Justice Center,
• Providing library materials and library cards to detention centers,
• Reference by Mail services for individuals incarcerated in prison,
• Helping formerly incarcerated people start their own small businesses through the Small Business Launchpad,
• Creating a Tap In Center to provide legal assistance to individuals who have a warrant issued due to missing a court date,
• Hosting a Reentry Resource Fair to connect justice-involved patrons with vital resources.