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G2S Project Code: 2019-MN-83720
State: Minnesota
Fiscal Year: 2019
Grantee
Friends of Hennepin County Library

Project Director
Director Name: Kristi Pearson
Director Phone: 612-543-8105
Director Email: kpearson@hclib.org
General Information
Title: Mental Health Issues Impacting Women in Correctional Facilites
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/23/2019
End Date: 09/30/2020
Abstract: Hennepin County Library Outreach hosted a One Read book discussion at the women’s section of the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility. The book selected for the program was What God Is Honored Here?: Writings on Miscarriage and Infant Loss by and for Native Women and Women of Color edited by Shannon Gibney and Kao Kalia Yang. All of the facility residents were invited to participate and received a copy of the book to keep. Approximately 35 residents participated in the program.

Shannon Gibney and Kao Kalia Yang led a discussion about the book and provided a workshop on how writing can address trauma and loss. Facility staff were invited to participate and provided additional trauma support for the residents

HCL Outreach staff also purchased books on loss, mental health, and trauma and added them to the library at the women’s section.




State Goal: Libraries respond to diverse community needs
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$5,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$5,000.00
Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.
Health & Wellness
Adult Literacy
Activities
Activity Details
Title: One Read
Narrative:

Hennepin County Library Outreach hosted a One Read book discussion at the women’s section of the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility. The book selected for the program was What God Is Honored Here?: Writings on Miscarriage and Infant Loss by and for Native Women and Women of Color edited by Shannon Gibney and Kao Kalia Yang.

Shannon Gibney and Kao Kalia Yang led a discussion about the book and provided a workshop on how writing can address trauma and loss. The results were very positive and empowering. One resident thanked the authors after the program and said, “It will help me stay sober because now I know that there is a better way to cope with my sadness and trauma besides just drinking. I can get my feelings out by writing.”



Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 35
Number of times program administered: 1


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Indian
Asian
Black
Hispanic
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: incarcerated women


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility - Women’s Section
Address: 1355 Shenandoah Lane
City: Plymouth
State: MN
Zip: 55447
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Collection Development
Narrative:

 HCL Outreach staff purchased 92 books that focus on loss, mental health, and trauma and added themto the library collection at the women’s section, so that all residents have increased access to helpful resources.



Intent: Improve users' ability to apply information that furthers their personal or family health & wellness.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 92
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Suburban
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Indian
Asian
Black
Hispanic
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: Yes: incarcerated women


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility - Women’s Section
Address: 1355 Shenandoah Lane
City: Plymouth
State: MN
Zip: 55447
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Author visits, book discussions, and writing workshops have value in addressing grief, loss, and trauma experienced by women who are incarcerated. These programs created a platform for personal empowerment and helped to encourage an informal support group at the facility. In addition to honoring the women’s experiences, the programs provided a variety of resources for emotional support for the residents to access while at the facility and after they leave.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
The program filled a need for grief and trauma support at the facility. Since these are ongoing needs, we see it an opportunity to provide emotional support while demonstrating that books and library programs can also play a role in mental health. The programs also strengthen the sense of community and connection inside the facility between the residents as well as with the staff.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Using books to facilitate conversations about emotional experiences with people who have experienced similar circumstances can be empowering and supportive. Writing about emotional experiences can provide a positive outlet to process emotions.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
Yes
Explain:
Adding work at the Men's Facility.
Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: corrections, trauma informed, book club