PLA Webinar

Getting Started with Services to Decarcerated Patrons

Thursday, March 30, 2023 | 1:00–2:00 p.m. Central

Learn how to start serving formerly incarcerated patrons from the staff of Tacoma Public Library in Washington. This webinar will teach how to research incarcerated populations in the library's area, put together a values-based project team, host job fairs, and develop library card and community resource partnerships, such as free legal help for expungement. Every community is unique and faces unique challenges. Participants will be walked through how to consider buy-in in their library, as well as how to approach services and craft a welcoming environment through an equity lens. Register now!

Learning Outcomes

At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Find local demographic information about incarcerated or formerly incarcerated patrons in their area;
• Structure project teams to advance service through an equity lens for formerly incarcerated patrons;
• Consider equity impacts for formerly incarcerated patrons, such as creating a welcoming environment system wide through training, and understanding economic and social impacts of incarceration;
• Identify one or two low-budget ways to begin serving formerly incarcerated patrons in their neighborhoods; and
• Seek out possible community partnerships that can benefit formerly incarcerated patrons and may double as support for the wider community.

Panelists

Gabby Fuentes (she/ella) is a neighborhood services manager at the Tacoma (WA) Public Library. Her work has focused on outreach and adult services, and her current role includes leading the Race, Equity, and Social Justice committee at the Tacoma Public Library. Before public libraries, Gabby worked in social services, serving human trafficking and domestic violence survivors, a perspective she carries into her library work.

Carlos Galeana (he/him/his/él) is an experienced learning and development professional, technology trainer, video editor, and instructional designer. Carlos is passionate about accessibility, serving Spanish-speakers, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and workplace safety. His work in public libraries has been recognized by Library Journal magazine.

Cost

• PLA member price: $47.40
• ALA member price: $71.10
• Nonmember price: $79