Product Description
Learn how to provide exemplary library service to individuals in prison or jail, by applying the public library model when working with inmate populations. These authors, a jail librarian and an outreach librarian, offer a wealth of insights and ideas, answering questions about facilities and equipment, collection development, services and programming; computers and the Internet; managing human resources, including volunteers and inmate workers; budgeting and fundi… More >>
Tags: answering questions, Applying, Correctional, Facility, Incarcerated, inmate populations, insights and ideas, Libraries, Library, library model, library service, library services, managing human resources, Model, outreach librarian, programming computers, Public, public library, Service's
Excellent source for anyone interested in providing library and information service to the millions of people incarcerated in the U.S. Written with insight as to how to establish a library inside a facility and a passion for why libraries are so important to us humans, this is a must read for anyone concerned with libraries, librarians, jails and prisons.
Rating: 5 / 5
As the Administrator charged with overseeing our detention center library contract, I was excited to read the long-awaited release of, “Library Services to the Incarcerated: Applying the Public Library Model in Correctional Facility Libraries.”
The authors have a clear understanding of the topic and have completed extensive research to substantiate their advice, theories, opinions and suggestions contained in this tome. This work focuses upon Ms. Clark and Ms. MacCreaigh’s comprehensive experience managing the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office Detention Services Bureau Library, a branch of the Arapahoe Library District. The library, in my opinion, is hands-down, one of the finest jail/prison libraries in the United States. Starting from a small collection of discarded books in a closet, the reader is transported from this upstart to the library’s present state. Historical facts, interesting anecdotes, successes and failures serve as a guide to anyone or any library system who are interested in becoming involved in correctional library services.
The book spotlights two major areas of correctional library services; the human aspect and the logistical elements required to offer this type of service. I found the human side of this book most interesting. Not only do we learn about the peculiarities of working with staff, inmates, and administration, we are given the opportunity to reflect upon our self. Am I right for this environment? Can I work happily and functionally in this unique non-traditional library setting? Will the walls close in upon me? Inmates, my gosh, can I work with criminals? Can I work for extended periods of time in artificial light?
It takes a certain personality type to work in a jail, not everyone can do it.
The second part, one would assume is standard library operations – not so. A typical public library model does not necessarily work in a correctional environment. Sheila and Ericka address the physical environment, collection development, circulation, staffing, budget, services and programs.
Every chapter contains sound references to assist the reader with further topic research.
This book is highly recommended to jail/prison administrators, potential employees of a correctional library, and libraries.
Rating: 5 / 5