“Prison libraries have a long history, longer than that of public libraries in most countries” – (Curry, Wolf & Boutilier, 2003, p. 141).
Our presentation intends to inform and promote prison librarianship as an essential and invaluable service which not only aims to bridge the information gap but also fulfill the core value of librarianship to offer equitable access to all.
Our presentation will begin by first discussing diversity as it relates to the incarcerated. We have selected three themes to guide our presentation. These themes include: Profile of Prisoners, Marginalization of Prisoners as well as Prison Programming. At the end of the presentation, you will then be able to participate in a discussion.
Libraries are in fact places that grant access to all individuals, are stewards of information and strive for equity with regards to access of information. However, people who have been convicted and reside in a correctional institution are a demographic that is often prevented from accessing library services.
Prison librarianship not only creates opportunities to reach an underserved population, it also has the potential to educate future LIS professionals about diverse populations as well as the tendency to dehumanize those under-served populations.
Our presentation will begin by first discussing diversity as it relates to the incarcerated. We have selected three themes to guide our presentation. These themes include: Profile of Prisoners, Marginalization of Prisoners as well as Prison Programming. At the end of the presentation, you will then be able to participate in a discussion.
Libraries are in fact places that grant access to all individuals, are stewards of information and strive for equity with regards to access of information. However, people who have been convicted and reside in a correctional institution are a demographic that is often prevented from accessing library services.
Prison librarianship not only creates opportunities to reach an underserved population, it also has the potential to educate future LIS professionals about diverse populations as well as the tendency to dehumanize those under-served populations.