St. Louis County Library Opens Second Tap In Center Location

Creve Coeur MO

05 April, 2022

6:46 AM

Description

Press release from the St. Louis County Library: April 4, 2022 St. Louis County Library is expanding a partnership with several justice involved organizations to provide an additional Tap In Center location at the Lewis & Clark Branch. The program provides free legal assistance and connects individuals with local support services to help navigate the court system during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tap In Center will take place on the first Tuesday of the month from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Lewis & Clark Branch (9909 Lewis-Clark Blvd.), and every Tuesday at the Florissant Valley Branch (195 New Florissant Rd., South). The Tap In Center started as a pilot program in fall 2020 at the Florissant Valley Branch. Individuals can show up in person, call 314-669-6185 or email [email protected] for assistance. The program provides a safe space for individuals to seek assistance in resolving warrants, meet with an attorney, learn their case status, apply for a public defender, and access resources through The Bail Project, such as a cell phone to stay in touch with their attorney and transportation assistance. Access to the Library's free wi-fi is also available to Tap In Center clients. Since the program launched, over 295 individuals have received free assistance with their St. Louis County criminal case, and over 300 warrants have been resolved. Matthew Mee visited the Tap In Center in January hoping to get a bench warrant recalled that was issued after failing to appear at a court date. An attorney from the Missouri State Public Defender's office worked with the prosecutor to recall the warrant and a new court date was scheduled. Matthew said, "The Tap In Center kept me out of jail, which allowed me to continue to work, stay in treatment, and stay out of the system. Once you're in the system, it's hard to get out. I can't describe enough how much you have helped me. Without knowing anything, I was helped and explained so many things I didn't understand about the system for no cost. A lot of people don't find out about services like these until they're in jail." St. Louis County Library Director and CEO Kristen Sorth said, "Libraries offer important resources for all members of the community and our branches provide welcoming and neutral spaces. Libraries move people forward - wherever they are in life. We are grateful for the partnership with these amazing organizations to do just that for those navigating the court system at the Tap In Center at St. Louis County Library. "I understand that many people have good reason to be intimidated by offices associated with law enforcement, so we will do anything we can to get information about criminal justice out into the community at safe spaces like public libraries," said St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell. "I encourage anyone involved in the criminal justice system to drop into a Tap-In Center to see what they have to offer." This unique partnership brings together the St. Louis County Library, the Missouri State Public Defender's Office, The Bail Project, MacArthur Foundation Safety & Justice Challenge, University of Missouri-St. Louis, and the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. SLCL has been offering services for the justice involved for several years. Staff have been visiting the St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center since 2017, offering book discussion programs, STEM activities and DIY craft projects. SLCL's Reference by Mail service answers informational requests from correctional facilities from all over Missouri. In 2021, librarians answered over 3,600 letters from 18 Missouri correctional facilities. Additionally, SLCL provides books to those in custody at the St. Louis County Justice Center, as well as library cards and information about library services upon release. This press release was produced by the St. Louis County Library. The views expressed here are the author's own.