Contact : Ardis Hanson, Library Director, the de la Parte Institute (813) 974-4471 or Marti Coulter, Director, James and Jennifer Harrell Center

LIbrary Projects: 1999: Domestic Violence within an Academic, Practice, and Community Research Framework

(Tampa, April 9, 1999))

The James and Jennifer Harrell Center for the study of domestic violence is dedicated to the prevention of domestic violence in all its forms including: partner abuse, child maltreatment, elder abuse and date rape.

SITUATION
Over six million children and three million spouses are severely assaulted each year by family members. Abuse is a major threat to American families. As with mental illness, domestic violence is a heavily guarded secret. One of the first places people often go for information is the local public library where they can browse the shelves for books or magazines or possibly ask for information. The Institute Library and the Harrell Center were interested in knowing the extent and currency of public library collections and the types of information librarians were asked to provide. A survey was developed and sent to each of the public libraries in the state asking a number of questions on collections, reference, equipment availability, liaison work, types of materials they would like to see developed, and other issues.

OBJECTIVES

• To gather data sets from public libraries as to the currency of their collections on domestic violence
• To collect data based upon the numbers, types of questions, and kinds of information patrons wanted on violence issues
• To develop a basic resource kit for distribution to the public libraries
• To develop a suggested core book collection list that public libraries should have to be up-to-date on the current research and recommendations for help to persons in a violent situation
• To provide basic information on shelters and legal help based on county and service area to the libaries.

PROJECT WORK GROUPS
The Harrell Center
--Martha Coulter, Dr.PH., Director and Associate Professor, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health
--Lynette Menezes, Project Coordinator, Harrell Center

The de la Parte Institute
--Ardis Hanson, Library Director

RESULTS
After reviewing the surveys, the Harrell Center and the Library began work on creating a core list of materials. Resource kits containing statistics, legal forms, lists of websites devoted to issues on violence, and lists of local shelters and emergency numbers specific to the county or CFS district were compiled. The kits and recommended booklist were mailed to the participating libraries at the end of the year.

Back to Library Projects