Supporting Libraries to Serve the Holistic Needs of the Community: Insights from Fathers Served by Social Service Systems

Public libraries link individuals with government resources and community services and provide programming to expand learning. Fathers’ voices have yet to be illuminated in relation to library services for youth and families. As part of an Institute of Museum and Library Services–funded project exploring public library services to children and families and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Unifying Fathers to Families, Communities, and Systems study, we interviewed 12 fathers who experienced trauma, incarceration, or addiction treatment. The fathers discussed (1) how and in what ways they have attempted to engage (or reengage) with their children in library and educational activities, (2) perceptions of reading time, and (3) the impact of technology and social media. Dedicated to positive coparenting, they shared how libraries can better cater to fathers like them and support their efforts to meet their children’s developmental needs. Suggestions for promoting father-centric programming are highlighted.