Tap In Center Named 2023 What’s Right with the Region Winner

St. Louis County Library’s Tap In Center, a program that provides free legal assistance and community support services to the justice involved, has been recognized by FOCUS St. Louis as a 2023 What’s Right with the Region Award winner.

Since the program began in 2020, over 700 people have used the Tap In Center services. The program’s biggest impact has been helping Individuals with outstanding warrants. People who visit the Tap In Center are able to work with an attorney to have their warrants recalled. Typically these are bench warrants issued failing to appear in court on traffic-related violations. Visiting the Tap In Center allows individuals to set a new court date and re-engage with their case without having to turn themselves into jail or pay a fine. To date almost 600 warrants have been squashed and 86% of clients who had a warrant recalled have not returned to the St. Louis County Jail.

The Tap In Center operates every Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Florissant Valley Library Branch. Another center takes place on the first Tuesday of the month from 6-8 p.m. at the Lewis & Clark Library Branch. More information is available at www.slcl.org/tap-in-center.

St. Louis County Library Director and CEO Kristen Sorth said, “Libraries offer important resources for all members of the community and our branches provide welcoming and neutral spaces. Libraries move people forward - wherever they are in life. We are grateful for the partnerships that have made the Tap In Center at St. Louis County Library possible.”  

“The Tap In Center injects much-needed humanity into the justice system and shows what is possible when we address public safety issues as a community,” St. Louis County Executive Dr. Sam Page said. “I’m proud to see this work honored by regional leaders and thank our partners for their collaboration.”

“It kept me out of jail, which allowed me to continue to work, stay in treatment, and mainly stay out of the system,” one client said. “Once you’re in the system, it’s hard to get out.”

At the Tap In Center, individuals can meet with an attorney, learn their case status and court date information; apply for a public defender; connect with local services through the Bail Project including pretrial support services such as court reminders, transportation and employment assistance. Access to the Library’s free wi-fi is also available to Tap In Center clients. 

This ground-breaking partnership brings together St. Louis County’s Department of Justice Services, St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, St. Louis County Library, MacArthur Foundation, The Bail Project, Missouri State Public Defender’s Office, and University of Missouri-St. Louis. The MacArthur Foundation Safety & Justice Challenge Grant provides funding for the Tap In Center and the St. Louis County Library provides the space to operate the center free of charge.

SLCL has been offering services for the justice involved for several years. Staff have been visiting the St. Louis County Juvenile Detention Center since 2017, offering book discussion programs, STEM activities and DIY craft projects. SLCL’s Reference by Mail service answers informational requests from correctional facilities from all over Missouri. In 2021, librarians answered over 3,600 letters from 18 Missouri correctional facilities. Additionally, SLCL provides books to those in custody at the St.  Louis County Justice Center, as well as library cards and information about library services upon release. 

Media inquiries about the Tap In Center should be directed to Jennifer McBride, SLCL Communications Manager at 314-994-3300 ext 2250 or jmcbride@slcl.org.