View Project

G2S Project Code: 2020-NV-84295
State: Nevada
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
Washoe County Library System

Project Director
Director Name: Jeff Scott
Director Phone: 775-327-8341
Director Email: jscott@washoecounty.gov
General Information
Title: Jail Library Services
State Project Code: 20-14
Start Date: 07/01/2020
End Date: 08/31/2021
Abstract: he Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO)-Detention Center previously provided no library support. The current WCSO  library collection is outdated and that creates a detriment to inmates being housed there. In creating this partnership, the Library System and the WCSO will be able to enhance services. The hope is that in providing this initial service, it will reduce the recidivism rate, create a bridge to library services once inmates are released, and provide an avenue for enhanced services to both inmates and recently released inmates. This literacy project will be able to create better services to enhance the quality of life for Washoe County Library patrons. Through a pre and post survey of staff and inmates the WCSO and Library System will be able assess the quality of life of inmates and the library meets the needs for their personal goals.  The jail library services had previously been provided through the Chaplain services. The new result is a collection that has been curated, maintained, or supported in line with inmates need for educational, vocational, legal, and recreational reading. This was done utilizing the expertise of the Library System's collection services staff. Washoe County Library System and Washoe County Sheriff Detention Center are partnering to provide library services through the Washoe County Library System through a multi-tiered project. 
The final phase of the Jail Library Services project included the final ordering the new materials for distribution, and ongoing support for the Sheriff Office Library collection and staff.



State Goal: Goal 3: Nevada libraries will provide responsive and accessible learning environments that meet the needs of all Nevada residents
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$10,000.00
$0.00
$18,014.01
$28,014.01
Intent(s)
Improve users' general knowledge and skills.
Adult Literacy
Collection Development & Management
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Jail Library Services
Narrative:
The Washoe County Library System ordered thousands of new Jail materials to create a new opening day collection for the Washoe County Sheriff Detention Center. The project plan is to utilize the $10,000.00 and over in library gift funds to purchase materials to start the collection. As of the end of December, the Jail Library Services project is on track in regards to ordering new materials for the opening day collection.  The LSTA Jail Grant project is on track. Personnel from the jail arranged to pick up books delivered to the library. The inmates applied the LSTA/IMLS Grant Award stickers to each of the books provided, acknowledging the award. The Library Aide was fully trained by a Librarian in basic Dewey and genre-based organizational systems. 

During this reporting cycle over 1000 books have been utilized, and the inmates are eagerly awaiting new items. 

Intent: Improve users' general knowledge and skills.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Physical


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 2,987
Average number of items circulated / month: 995
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 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: Urban
Suburban
Rural
For what age groups: 18-25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
70+ years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
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


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Washoe County Library
Address: 301 S. Center St.
City: Reno
State: NV
Zip: 89501
Name: Washoe County Sheriff's Office-Detention Facility
Address: 911 E. Parr Blvd
City: Reno
State: NV
Zip: 89512
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
WCLS purchased 1,009 new paperbacks for the Washoe County Jail, and WCLS donated more than 1,500 additional items, including patron donations and Advance Reader Copies of new titles. The Sparks branch library donated some surplus shelving, and WCLS also donated a book cart for use in the jail housing units. WCLS provided training for the newly hired Washoe County Sherriff Department Library Aide. The extensive weeding eliminated books that were severely damaged and falling apart, and the library materials are now attractive for use. The jail library has become a desirable work detail for the incarcerated, and the inmates appreciate the new reading material. There are an average of 1,000 inmate book requests per month, which indicates high inmate engagement.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Increased inmate engagement demonstrates the need and desire for ongoing support of this project. WCLS has committed to provide $2,000 for materials per year for the jail library, and suitable donations as materials come in.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
During this project, we came upon the issues of reference support vs. recreational reading, and the intellectual freedom of the incarcerated. We reached out to the Washoe County Law Library to assist with legal reference support, and focused our efforts on providing popular, high-interest materials. Working with the Sherriff’s Department, we learned that they were very open to us providing content of all kinds, only asking that we avoid purchasing materials that glorified violence and crime. We have received support from the inmate work detail, as they transport new materials from the Downtown Library to the jail. Overall, this has been a successful project.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

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: