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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Division of Juvenile Justice Services estimates that 31 percent of Utah youths will have some contact with DJJS before they turn 18. Division leaders also say one out of 56 youth will be committed in some kind of residential program.
The Salt Lake County Library System has teamed up with DJJS to help the youths in these resident programs.
“We believe the future outcomes of these youth can be greatly and positively affected through literacy and education," said Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, senior librarian for teen services at Salt Lake County Library.
Early this year DJJS and Salt Lake County Library started a monthly book club for youths in the Salt Lake Boys and Girls Observation and Assessment Program. The youths in this program reside in the residential facility for 45 days while awaiting their hearings. During their time in O&A, youths stay near their communities, work on restitution obligations and attend school. Being engaged in these activities helps improve their futures.
We believe the future outcomes of these youth can be greatly and positively affected through literacy and education.
–Carrie Rogers-Whitehead, Salt Lake County Library System
Rogers-Whitehead facilitates this monthly book club with the help of DJJS volunteer coordinator Lisa Schauerhamer. “We select and check out books for the youth,” said Schauerhamer. “Then the youth are accompanied by staff to the library for a discussion and tour.”
Rogers-Whitehead's and Schauerhamer’s goal with the book club is to increase awareness of the library resources and increase reading comprehension. Schauerhamer is diligent about promoting the program with the youths and ensures that there are mandatory reading times and discussions about the books prior to the club meetings.
But the reading group does more than help the teens enjoy reading.
Schauerhamer said, “Many of the youth in the O&A program have difficult pasts and it’s often hard for them to open up and trust others.” The book club has become a safe forum for the youths to discuss difficult topics in a non-threatening manner.
- "Divergent" by Veronica Roth
- "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah
- "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli
- "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne
- "Maus: A Survivor's Tale" by Art Spiegelman
- "Legend" by Marie Lu
In a discussion on the book “A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier” by Ishmael Beah, the boys group drew parallels between Ismael’s experiences as a child soldier and their own on the street. “Just as Ismael was forced to fight and even kill those he cared about, some of the boys have felt the same pressure from gangs and their peers,” Rogers-Whitehead said.
Reading and discussing this book and others has enabled some difficult conversations to happen among some of the toughest and most stigmatized youth.
“When I get out of O&A I’m going to my library and signing up for a library card,” one of the boys said.
If you are interested in volunteering with DJJS, contact Lisa Schauerhaer via email at lschauer@utah.gov. DJJS statistical and program information can be found at jjs.utah.gov.
For information about Salt Lake County Library Services visit slcolibrary.org.
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About the Author: Teri Harman
*Teri Harman, author and book enthusiast, writes a biweekly column for ksl.com and also contributes book-related segments to Studio 5. Her debut novel, "Blood Moon," comes out June 22, 2013. Find her online at teriharman.com.**
