Literacy: A Way Out for At-Risk Youth - Softcover

Sweeney, Jennifer

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1598846744 ISBN 13: 9781598846744

Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, 2011

Synopsis

The ability to read is a learned skill that most take for granted. For at-risk youth or those within detention facilities, however, lack of literacy is a widespread problem. While literacy is not the only factor that determines whether young people transcend the cycle of crime and violence, the inability to read is a major obstacle to success "on the outside."|This exploration of juvenile corrections librarianship provides a complete description of these specialized services, addresses unique challenges in this library environment, and promotes intellectual and social growth for at-risk youth.|The facts regarding juvenile corrections are grim. In California alone, 13,000 youth are housed as wards of the state. Rearrest rates for young people in detention and correction facilities range from 77 to 90 percent. The good news is youth corrections librarianship has the potential to improve the situation.||This book fills a gap in the literature on corrections librarianship, which is focused almost solely on adult prisons. Programs for juvenile offenders require significantly more emphasis on education and rehabilitation than adults. There is also greater urgency in delivering needed services to youth offenders. Literacy: A Way Out for At-Risk Youth provides librarians in juvenile detention facilities with tools to face their unique challenges, such as collaborating with corrections staff and encouraging youth to maintain their connection to the library after release. The author's recommendations for reader's advisory, collection development, and other services are geared toward helping teens cope with their problems and develop better decision making skills.|â ¢ Illuminates the specific challenges of this unique library environment|â ¢

About this title

About the Author

Jennifer Sweeney, PhD, is adjunct professor at The iSchool at Drexel, College of Information Science and Technology, Philadelphia, PA.

Edition details

• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1598846744
• ISBN 13: 9781598846744
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 156