Going Inside: The Library at the Detention Center
Charles County Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
Charles County Public Library (CCPL) operates a satellite library within the Charles County Detention Center (CCDC) to provide incarcerated adults education, enrichment & connection through library services, programs & special initiatives. In this partnership, the library provides free, equitable access to materials & services that support personal growth, legal research, & successful re-entry into the community. Individuals at the CCDC can access library materials every week. Educational workshops are offered every month by library staff to support learning & development. Each individual also receives a library card, which they can use at any CCPL branch upon release, encouraging continued use of the library’s free resources as they reintegrate into society. Finally, the Storybook Program provides connection to loved ones at home while they are away. Participants record themselves reading a recordable children’s book that is sent to their families during the holidays.
Challenge/Opportunity
CCPL deepened its established relationship with the CCDC by launching this initiative in 2023. We initially offered only library services, and have since expanded significantly. The core objective was to deliver education, enrichment, & connection, recognizing the critical underserved nature of the incarcerated population, while enhancing an existing partnership.
Previously, the CCDC lacked a functional library, with an outdated collection & inconsistent programs. A key goal was to ensure that returning citizens would already be familiar with CCPL offerings, thus removing potential barriers to library use upon their release. All participants in the program would receive a library card before leaving. This proactive approach would mean they wouldn't need to sign up for cards after their release, as they would already possess them. Furthermore, an increased library presence at the detention center would signal to returning citizens that they are welcome within our branches.
Key Elements of Innovation
Structure/Implementation
-CCPL staff run all elements of the project at the CCDC library (collection, workshops, storybook program)
-Started in 2023, steadily expanded services & grown our reach
Activities
-Education - collection of materials (wide range of fiction & nonfiction titles)
-Enrichment - skill building workshops supporting digital literacy, workforce readiness (ex. resume writing, digital literacy skills, financial literacy, how to utilize library resources/databases)
-Connection - The Storybook Program promotes early childhood literacy & fosters a connection between incarcerated individuals who have young children at home. Participants record themselves reading a recordable children’s book.
Goals
-To provide library services to an underserved population
-While other libraries have partnered with detention centers, our goal was to actually be inside the facility in order to provide as much access as possible
Partners
-CCDC
-Elected officials
-Members of our community
Achieved Outcomes
Increase in circulation, programming offered
Circulation
-FY23 (only 3 months): 928 (monthly average: 309)
-FY24: 8,551 (monthly average: 713)
-FY25: 10,119 (monthly average: 839) 18% increase over FY24
-FY26 (Jul-Sep): 2,786 (if circ’s hold steady, we could have over 11,000 for FY26)
Programming
-FY24: 21 programs, 247 attendance
-FY25: 25 programs, 290 attendance; 19% increase in number of programs; 17% increase in attendance over FY24
-FY26 (Jul-Sep): 11 programs, 74 attendance; We’re already at almost half of FY25 programs total and we’re only 3 months into FY26
Surveys
-Feedback surveys were implemented to gather feedback from those using the services to identify areas for important improvements
-This has given us valuable insights into the program and the impact it is having on the lives of those using library services
Partnerships
-Deepened our partnership with CCDC, & other orgs that have seen this program & want to partner with the library
-Support of elected officials
