Ithaka Harbors Inc. (Ithaka S+R)

Ithaka S+R will explore how public, state, prison, academic, and law libraries can more effectively collaborate to provide services to patrons who are impacted by the criminal legal system. The project team will document challenges and solutions for catalyzing greater cross-section collaboration across library types and with Departments of Corrections (DOC) to serve the needs of system-impacted library patrons; convene stakeholder groups through community calls and focus groups to explore collaboration challenges and service priorities; and use the exploratory research and discussions to draft a service concept. Beneficiaries will include library staff, DOC staff, and system-impacted individuals. The project team also will produce an issue brief with best practices for library collaborations, an issue brief on providing services to system-impacted patrons, a public webinar, and a draft plan for service piloting and implementation.