[In this video, six people are having a conversation. The people’s names are Chelsea Jordan-Makely, Charissa Brammer, Amy Bahlenhorst, Sara Wicen, Carol Peeples, and Renee Barnes.]

Chelsea Jordan-Makely: So let’s start broadly. What concerns did you have, if any. going into this project? And I don’t know who wants to kick us off…Somebody who had some concerns, presumably.

Charissa Brammer: I can. I can start. You know, I was concerned about going into… I came in with no experience in prison libraries at all, and so I was concerned about going into a new situation about, you know, security concerns, things like that initially. I was also concerned about getting it wrong. You know, this was such an important opportunity and such like, I just feel like this data or this project is so close to my heart that I was really worried that we were going to, you know, do something wrong or not be able to accomplish it or stuff like that. And luckily, all of those fears have turned out to be unfounded, I think. But yeah, that’s probably what I started out with. Was a great nervousness about having a huge project like this and just going into a new environment.

Amy Bahlenhorst: I think I shared those concerns with Charissa and security things. Being in a group of incarcerated people was a new experience for me entirely, and it feels a little scary at first. And then very quickly feels not scary at all. And in terms of getting it wrong…same here. I think specifically for me it was making sure that we were being respectful of people in terms of the language that we were using and inclusivity of around languages spoken or not spoken…Specific concerns with getting it right.

Sara Wicen: I would second all of that as well and just add like not knowing what to expect and being new to a facility libraries as well. I just…I didn’t have any specific concerns going in, but just generally anticipation of what running the focus groups will look like, whether we can have a good group and stay on topic or if things are going to get off topic and go and all sorts of directions. So, all those fears turned out to be unwarranted and after a few of them, it felt like running normal focus groups and everything was going pretty well. And then just because there were so many moving parts that were out of my control, it was really just a lesson in trusting the process throughout the entire time.

Carol Peeples: You know, this is really interesting.

Chelsea Jordan-Makely: What about for you, Renee? Oh no, go ahead Carol, you’re great.

Carol Peeples: Oh sorry. So, this really interesting. This is the first time I’ve heard you guys talk about your concerns about going into the prison libraries and being intimidated, I wish you would have said something cause I would…Here I’m remembering going into the prison. I went in and was a GED teacher in 1999, and oh my God, I was shaking when I first stood up in front of that class, I was so intimidated. And then you quickly learn you’re collaborating with them as a teacher or as a librarian. It’s a really different relationship and it’s lovely. You’ve really…and that makes our communication easier, I think. So yeah. My concerns were different. I was concerned about getting community partners to collaborate with us, you know, help make people available for the focus groups. Yeah, sorry. I didn’t mean to step in.

Chelsea Jordan-Makely: No you’re great.

Renee Barnes: I was, I would say, similar to Carol. My concerns were not so much on the prison stuff since I’ve worked in a prison, but more individual facility resistance to doing thing focus groups cause headquarters had okayed it, but not…Knowing how what the reception would be from each of the individual facilities and their leadership teams, which worked out pretty well.