It should be.
For someone returning to the community after incarceration, a public library may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about reentry resources.
The King County Library System (KCLS) provides a surprisingly large collection of free resources that can help justice-involved individuals search for employment, create resumes, improve computer skills, prepare for a driver’s license, learn new job skills, study for professional certifications, continue their education, and simply become more comfortable navigating today’s technology.
Many of these resources can be accessed from a local library, while others are available online from a phone, tablet, or computer.
For someone rebuilding life after incarceration—particularly after a long period away from the community—the library can become an important part of the reentry toolbox.
A Place to Get Connected Again
One challenge of reentry that is sometimes underestimated is the amount of everyday life that now takes place online.
Job applications are online. Housing searches are online. Benefit applications are increasingly digital. Employers communicate through email. Appointments may require online scheduling. Resumes need to be uploaded. Documents need to be downloaded, scanned, printed, or emailed.
For someone who has spent years or decades incarcerated, these ordinary tasks can become significant barriers.
KCLS libraries provide public computers with internet access and basic productivity software. Libraries also have printers, copiers, and scanners available for public use.
That means a library can become a practical working location for someone who needs to complete applications, work on a resume, research an employer, print paperwork, scan documents, or learn how to accomplish these tasks independently.
KCLS cardholders currently receive $5 in printing and copying credit each week, and printers are available at every KCLS library. Documents can even be sent to a library printer from a personal phone, tablet, computer, or email account.
For someone living on a very limited income, even small resources like free printing can make a difference.
Employment and Career Resources
Finding employment is one of the biggest priorities for many people returning from incarceration.
KCLS offers an entire collection of Job and Career Resources, including tools that can help people search for jobs, develop resumes, research careers, prepare for interviews, and identify training opportunities.
One particularly useful resource is My Jobs Library.
Through My Jobs Library, users can search for employment, build a resume, find training schools, and receive career information and advice.
KCLS also connects job seekers with WorkSource Seattle-King County, which can provide assistance with job searching, resumes, interviewing, and career planning.
Another resource, Data Axle Reference Solutions, provides access to business information as well as job and internship listings. This can be useful not only for finding advertised positions but also for identifying employers in particular industries.
For a reentry job seeker, that creates another strategy.
Instead of only searching job boards, someone interested in warehouse work, construction, manufacturing, automotive work, food service, or another field can research companies and begin identifying employers to contact.
Build New Skills for Free
Employment after incarceration does not always mean returning to the type of work someone performed before prison.
Reentry can also be an opportunity to develop an entirely new set of skills.
KCLS provides access to several major online learning platforms.
LinkedIn Learning
KCLS provides access to more than 16,000 video courses through LinkedIn Learning covering technology, business, design, creative skills, and other subjects. Participants can also earn certificates for completed courses.
This can be valuable for someone who needs to learn programs commonly used in today’s workplace or simply become familiar with modern technology.
Important: KCLS currently notes that access to LinkedIn Learning may sometimes be unavailable while it works to resolve an issue, so users should check the KCLS website for current availability.
Udemy
KCLS cardholders can also access more than 6,000 on-demand Udemy courses covering business, technology, design, and other subjects.
Even more importantly for someone trying to improve employment qualifications, some courses can help prepare learners for certifications such as CompTIA, AWS, and PMP.
Courses are available in multiple languages.
Professional Certifications Can Strengthen a Resume
KCLS goes beyond simply offering classes.
The library system reports that cardholders can access free online classes, practice tests, and proctored exams for certain professional and business certifications. These certifications can then be included on a resume and may help applicants qualify for employment opportunities.
This is especially important in reentry.
A person may leave incarceration without a recent employment history. A newly completed course, certificate, or professional credential gives that individual something current to put on a resume.
It says:
I am learning. I am preparing. I am moving forward.
Learning Basic Computer Skills
We should never assume that everyone returning from incarceration knows how to use today’s technology.
Someone incarcerated before smartphones became common may return to a world of QR codes, apps, online applications, electronic documents, video interviews, two-factor authentication, and cloud-based files.
KCLS provides resources specifically designed to help people develop digital skills.
Northstar Digital Literacy provides self-paced lessons covering computer basics and Microsoft Office skills, with opportunities to earn certificates.
KCLS also provides access to GCF LearnFree.org, which offers self-paced learning covering technology basics, Microsoft Office, Google applications, smartphones, reading, math, and employment skills.
These aren’t minor skills anymore.
Digital literacy has become part of employment readiness and independent living.
Prepare for a Washington Driver’s License
Transportation is another major reentry issue.
Having a driver’s license can significantly increase employment options, particularly for jobs located outside major transit corridors or positions requiring employees to travel between worksites.
KCLS provides online Washington State driver’s license practice tests and access to the official Washington State Driver’s Manual.
Resources are also available for people preparing for a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and motorcycle endorsement. Practice tests are available in English, Russian, and Spanish, and an English audio version of the driver’s manual is available.
For someone considering transportation or commercial driving as an employment pathway, the CDL materials may be particularly worth exploring.
Tutoring and Educational Assistance for Adults
Education doesn’t have to stop because someone has been incarcerated.
KCLS provides access to Brainfuse, which offers one-on-one, real-time online tutoring for children, college students and adult learners.
Live tutoring is currently available daily from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m., and assistance includes writing help, study tools, test preparation, and other educational support.
This could be useful for someone preparing to return to school, strengthening reading or math skills, working on written assignments, or simply rebuilding confidence as a learner.
Learn a New Language
KCLS also provides several language-learning resources.
Mango Languages offers self-paced instruction in more than 70 languages, including native-speaker audio and pronunciation feedback.
Rosetta Stone provides instruction in 30 languages and allows users to practice reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
These resources may be useful for employment, education, family communication, or personal development.
Thinking About Starting a Business?
Some people returning from incarceration eventually consider self-employment or entrepreneurship, particularly when traditional employment barriers make it difficult to move forward.
KCLS offers resources for that pathway as well.
Gale Business: Entrepreneurship provides information on starting, financing, and operating a business, including sample business plans, how-to guides, and expert articles.
The Business Plans Handbook provides examples of real-world business plans from manufacturing, retail, service, and other industries.
These resources won’t replace professional business or legal advice, but they can provide a starting point for someone exploring whether entrepreneurship could become part of their future.
The Library Can Be a Reentry Resource Center
Perhaps the most important message is this:
Don’t think of the library as simply a place to check out books.
Think of it as a place where someone can:
- Search for employment.
- Create or improve a resume.
- Research employers.
- Use a computer and internet connection.
- Print and scan important documents.
- Improve computer skills.
- Learn Microsoft Office.
- Take thousands of online courses.
- Prepare for professional certifications.
- Study for a Washington driver’s license or CDL.
- Receive tutoring.
- Improve reading, writing, or math skills.
- Learn another language.
- Research careers and training programs.
- Explore entrepreneurship.
- Learn how to navigate today’s increasingly digital world.
Many of these resources are free through the King County Library System, although some online services require a KCLS library card.
Why Compass Reentry Peer Support Is Highlighting This Resource
At Compass Reentry Peer Support, we believe successful reentry requires more than handing someone a list of phone numbers.
People need to know what resources exist, why those resources matter, and how to use them.
A library card will not solve every reentry challenge.
But it can give someone access to a computer, employment tools, education, career training, digital literacy instruction, certification preparation, driver’s license study materials, and thousands of learning opportunities.
More importantly, those resources can help someone develop something that is central to long-term reentry success:
independence.
Our goal isn’t simply to do things for people. It is to help individuals develop the knowledge, skills, connections, and confidence necessary to begin doing more for themselves.
The King County Library System can be an excellent partner in that process.
Start Exploring
KCLS Education and Training Resources
KCLS Computer and Internet Help
Compass Reentry Peer Support
We walk with people until they can walk with confidence.
Questions about reentry support:
[email protected]
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