When parents are incarcerated, they miss the opportunity to do something as fundamental as spending time reading with their children. Contact visits are limited, prison regulations can be restrictive, and the inmates may not be comfortable reading aloud or obtaining and choosing books for their children. The library and its partners saw an opportunity to provide education, materials and encouragement to help keep the family connection strong during the difficult separation.

Inmates in good standing at the correctional center meet with staff from the library and Judy Center and learn the necessary skills to read to their children. During the second session, the incarcerated parent has a family visit and they focus on books, games and songs that emphasize early literacy skills. Children choose books to take home and the correctional center provides snacks. In addition to education, the program promotes family bonding.

Since the project began, Open Book has served 71 inmates and 101 children. The program provides incarcerated parents with the opportunity to experience these special and important milestones with their children in a safe setting and provides a connection until the families can be reunited. The success of Open Book has led to a similar program at Jennifer Road Detention Center and a program for female inmates at the Maryland Correctional Institute for Women.