Incarcerated Services Librarian Melody Kinnamon fervently thinks Library products and services are for all Johnson County inhabitants, which include incarcerated folks who can’t take a look at the branches. This 12 months, Johnson County Library has expanded its outreach to Johnson County Corrections Office services on the New Century, KS, campus. Library staffers also help Grownup Residential Centre purchasers serving alternative perform-launch sentences, and clientele getting intensive compound abuse treatment at the Therapeutic Local community Centre.
Kinnamon and other users of the Library’s incarcerated solutions workforce resumed in-person visits to the campus in April 2021. They’ve witnessed an uptick in the range of Library playing cards issued, identified as “justice cards.” And a enjoyable Library room at the Adult Household Center has been enhanced with extra textbooks and a lot more office hrs. “The justice cards are Johnson County Library playing cards that are issued to the Corrections Office purchasers who reside in just that procedure,” Kinnamon defined. “We are concentrating additional on this inhabitants and serving their particular requirements superior. I can see [the initiative] continuing to grow.” Kinnamon says about 100 new justice cards had been issued in 2021, an enhance above 2020. Consumers can go on to use them at Johnson County Library areas even when they no lengthier reside at Corrections services.
Before the pandemic, Kinnamon and other folks presented in-individual Library office environment several hours on campus one working day per week. From March 2020 as a result of April 2021, they presented expert services practically by means of Zoom. But they are now equipped to present in-man or woman Library business hrs each individual Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. As lots of as 40 consumers go to each time. “The Corrections Office is so amazing,” Kinnamon reported. “They have welcomed us and accommodated us.” The section gives a attractive, sunny home with relaxed chairs. Johnson County Library arranges for nearby artists to display screen their function, and Johnson County Library Foundation grants provided hundreds of pounds to acquire textbooks, which consumers can check out on web-site. ARC even extra many children’s guides in late 2021, after a customer shared that they required to browse to their little one throughout their weekly video check out.
Library staffers also help clientele obtain and check out out up to 3 guides just about every time from through the Library system, which are sent to the campus by Johnson County couriers. “I seriously appreciate our conversations,” Kinnamon claimed. “We get to do a ton of readers’ advisory operate.” Library personnel and shoppers examine favourite authors and textbooks of all genres. Kinnamon recollects one male who frequented the Library just about every Wednesday. He informed her it was the finest element of his 7 days. “He could just be a Library patron for individuals 30 minutes and he mentioned it intended a ton to him,” Kinnamon recalled. Other clients are equally appreciative.
Kinnamon and Information Professional Scott Stone also direct a energetic ebook club accumulating with 8-10 clients at the time a month on campus. She mentioned she learns so substantially from the consumers, who are considerate and very well-browse. “It’s superb. I appreciate that it is voluntary,” she reported “It claims something that we have a waiting listing. We have wonderful, amazing discussions.”
This partnership amongst Johnson County Library and county govt is visionary and incredibly worthwhile, Kinnamon emphasizes. “We are just one of the couple general public Library devices in the country that has an Incarcerated Expert services Librarian, that has recognized the worth of serving that group,” she claimed. “We are incredibly progressive and I just actually recognize both of those the [Library] Board’s help and Corrections’ support, and the partnerships within just the County. The Library, Corrections, Johnson County Mental Overall health Department, Johnson County Library Basis, everybody getting with each other to provide these folks. We have acquired a large amount of great people today performing to provide this inhabitants.”
You can uncover this tale showcased in the Spring 2022 Tutorial. The Information is your resource for Library information, impending events and applications, assistance highlights, Pals of Johnson County Library and Johnson County Library Basis news and much more. Decide up your copy at a Johnson County Library close to you starting Friday. The Spring 2022 Guidebook will also be accessible to look at on the internet at jocolibrary.org.
Johnson County Library – Nurturing the Community’s Collective Wisdom