I just returned from ALA Annual 2026, and what a whirlwind it was! It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends, meet new colleagues, and come away inspired by the incredible work happening in libraries across the country.
One of the highlights of my conference experience was celebrating the launch of the Supporting Children, Teens, and Their Caregivers Impacted by Carceral Systems toolkit, created by the Library Services to Underserved Children and Their Caregivers Committee, while also attending the presentation Libraries Disrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline by Jill Anderson and Carrie S. Banks. Anderson serves as the Assistant Director of Jail, Prison, Reentry, and Youth Justice in Queens, and Banks is the Supervising Librarian for the Brooklyn Public Library. Together, they recently authored Disrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline: An Action Guide for Libraries, a practical guide that combines research with real-world library practices to help library workers better understand the impact of carceral systems on youth and identify meaningful ways libraries can make a difference.
Their presentation explored what the school-to-prison pipeline is, how libraries can support youth before they become involved in the carceral system, ways to provide meaningful services to detained youth, and how libraries can continue to support young people when they return to their communities. One of my biggest takeaways was that libraries can have a powerful impact long before a young person ever enters the carceral system. By creating welcoming spaces, fostering community, providing access to information, and building partnerships with local organizations, libraries can help support youth and families in meaningful ways. The presenters also shared examples of successful programming in juvenile detention settings, including art workshops, journaling, and drawing activities that encourage creativity, self-expression, and connection.
The presentation was complemented by the newly released Supporting Children, Teens, and Their Caregivers Impacted by Carceral Systems toolkit, which is now available as a free download. At any given time in the United States, nearly 2 million people are incarcerated in local jails, state and federal prisons, and immigration detention centers. The effects of incarceration reach far beyond those individuals, impacting children, caregivers, families, and entire communities, including many who use our libraries.
The toolkit serves as an excellent starting point for library staff looking to better support these populations. It is organized into three sections: recommended books for children and teens with incarcerated family members or caregivers; recommended books for youth who are themselves impacted by the carceral system; and resources to help library staff deepen their understanding of these issues and connect families with additional support. Beyond book recommendations, the toolkit includes organizations, research, and practical resources that libraries can use when building collections, developing programs, or strengthening community partnerships.
One of the things I appreciated most about both the presentation and the toolkit is that they remind us we don’t always need to create entirely new services to make a difference. Sometimes the greatest impact comes from being intentional about the work we’re already doing: building inclusive collections, creating welcoming spaces, connecting families with resources, and ensuring every young person feels seen, valued, and supported.
Whether you work in a public, school, or academic library, these resources offer valuable ideas for serving an often-overlooked population. I encourage you to explore both the toolkit and Disrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline: An Action Guide for Libraries and consider how your library can continue creating opportunities for connection, learning, and belonging for all members of your community.
Today’s blogger is Tanya Prax. Tanya is a Youth Services Librarian at Arapahoe Libraries in Denver, Colorado. Her favorite things about her job (if she had to pick) are a family cooking program and booktalking to kids at schools. Tanya wrote this piece as a member of the Library Services to Underserved Children and their Caregivers committee.
