A Second Chance

This chapter describes the history of the Second Chance Books Program, a partnership between the Austin Public Library and the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center. It covers the initiation of the partnership in 2002, through the early days and challenges, the growth of the partnership in 2007, and the maturation of the program in 2010. The focus is on the challenges encountered by a maturing community partnership and the resolution of those challenges. Topics include coordination of administrative tasks, transitional leadership, maintaining partnerships through staffing changes, strengthening partner buy-in, and funding concerns for long-term partnerships. The goal of the chapter is to help librarians with established or budding long-term partnerships strategize ways to prepare for and resolve problems encountered along the way.