Stories Alive

This flagship program offers incarcerated parents the opportunity to read books with their children beyond a traditional visiting room. Using live video conferencing set up in the prison and in neighborhood libraries, families gather to read, talk, sing, and spend time together.

The video visit takes place via computer screens, similar to Skype or FaceTime, and free books and library cards are given to families who participate. Children with family members incarcerated at the Curran-Fromhold or Riverside prison facilities are eligible to participate.

All visits are free!

Families interested in this program can sign up here or call 267-257-3015.

Where:
When:

Saturdays between 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Eligibility:

Child(ren) accompanied by as parent/caregiver

Session duration: 1 hour

Frequently Asked Questions

The program is available to children with parents incarcerated at the Curran-Fromhold or Riverside prison facilities. Family members of eligible inmates can call the Free Library at 267-257-3015 to schedule an appointment or sign up online.
We can accommodate one adult and up to four children.
No. The Free Library provides books for the program. Families can however take books home to keep after the visit!

Yes. Adults must bring a photo ID (driver's license or other state issued ID). Children should have proper ID in the form of a birth certificate, Social Security card, passport, medical insurance card, or student ID.

All family members should bring their library cards. If you do not have a library card, our staff can sign you up.

Families are welcome to return for as many visits as they would like. Frequency varies based on available time slots and availability of the parent at PDP.

Sign Up for Stories Alive

Inmate Information
Your Contact Information
Child(ren) Information

Library Toolkit
Expanding Opportunities for Incarcerated Parents and Their Families

The Free Library's Prison and Re-entry Services program aims to deepen all participants' engagement with their neighborhood libraries. This toolkit was designed to help other public libraries replicate this work and launch programs of their own, like Stories Alive.

If you or your library have additional questions about the Free Library's Prison and Re-entry Services or Stories Alive, please reach out to us at 267-257-3015 | prisonservices@freelibrary.org

Download Toolkit