San Francisco has approved an ordinance authorizing the Public Library to accept and expend a $1,966,000 grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to enhance the Jail and Reentry Services Program. The grant will fund three full-time positions to support the ‘Expanding Information Access for Incarcerated People’ initiative, aimed at providing literacy and digital resources for individuals impacted by incarceration. The initiative includes expanding an online GIS map of available services, developing a virtual training series for library staff, and strengthening advocacy for incarcerated individuals through professional development programs. This funding ensures that incarcerated individuals and their support networks have improved access to critical information services that facilitate reentry and rehabilitation.
This initiative addresses the significant gap in library and digital literacy services for incarcerated individuals, helping to improve their reintegration into society. By removing barriers to information access, the program empowers those affected by incarceration and strengthens connections between local and national support networks.