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Research on Prison Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
8:43 AM EDT 9/10/07
Hello, I am an MLS student and am currently taking a course called Intellectual Freedom. I am intrigued by prison libraries and would defenitely consider this as a career. I am doing a study on censorship in these libraries and am wondering if any of these libraries have online catalogs so I can take a look at the collections?
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Re: Research on Prison Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
1:51 PM EDT 9/10/07
as a reply to elizabeth kettell.
If you don't get access to actual catalogs, you might see about getting hold of some collection development plans/policies. You can see the State of Colorado's library acquisitions policies in Administrative Regulation 500-02, available at www.doc.state.co.us.
The Colorado DOC libraries keep a short list of materials that do not meet the selection criteria outlined in AR 500-02. (This is not available on the state website, fyi.) These include books that are sexually explicit and/or violent, like Anne Rice's Beauty trilogy, books that describe in detail how to make weapons, like The Turner Diaries, and books that advocate hatred, like The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion. We also list books that have small sections which don't meet the criteria, but which are otherwise okay. An example is Like Water For Chocolate; it contains a recipe for matches. We can circulate that title if that recipe is removed.
Other prison and jail libraries have different selection criteria and what is acceptable in one facility, may not be in another. It's important to sit down with your facility administration so you can come to agreement on what's acceptable for your facility.
Censorship is one of the most complicated issues for a librarian to resolve in prison, since the need for security always trumps the need for open access to information. That's a difficult balance to strike and corrections staff do not always see eye to eye with library staff. Coming to consensus is one of the most interesting parts of our job!
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Re: Research on Prison Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
9:31 AM EDT 9/11/07
as a reply to elizabeth kettell.
> Hello, I am an MLS student ...wondering if any of these
> libraries have online catalogs so I can take a look
> at the collections?
Hello "ekettell,"
I have been an MLS student for the last 4 years and will graduate in December. I transferred from academic libraries to corrections about 2 1/2 years ago, and I plan to stay in this field for the rest of my career. I've thought about intellectual freedom many times throughout my education, especially the special meaning for incarcerated people.
I agree with Erica, the policy is a good place to start, but I also think you are very smart to ask for access to an actual catalog because there is theory, and then there is practice. I'll check with my supervisor to see if there's a way to let you see what I currently have at Arrowhead Correctional Center. I could also email you a list of my last book order from our vender's website, and a list of the 36 magazines we offer. Would that help?
Melisa
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Re: Research on Prison Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
9:40 AM EDT 9/11/07
as a reply to Melisa Gilbert.
That would be very helpful. Thank you!
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Re: Research on Prison Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
9:41 AM EDT 9/11/07
as a reply to Erica MacCreaigh.
Thank you for your response. I have been able to locate most of the state policies; however, they just dont give me enough to conduct a study. I.E. If I could get into the catalogs, I could search for a specific title and determine how many prison libraries own it.
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Re: Research on Prison Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
9:46 AM EDT 9/11/07
as a reply to elizabeth kettell.
Do you want to give me your email address?
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Re: Research on Prison Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
9:50 AM EDT 9/11/07
as a reply to Melisa Gilbert.
eketell@gmail.com
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Re: Research on Prison Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
9:51 AM EDT 9/11/07
as a reply to elizabeth kettell.
oops! ekettell@gmail.com
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Re: Research on Prison Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
2:53 PM EDT 9/20/07
as a reply to elizabeth kettell.
As most of the respondents have said, the criteria may be different depending on the state and on the institutions. We recently had an issue in Maryland where the warden refused to allow certain materials. This was challenged by the inmate, and the state AG overuled the challenge. The prison had to revise its list of prohibited materias. You can access the article in The Baltimore Sun
Glennor
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Re: Research on Prison Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
7:42 PM EDT 4/1/08
as a reply to Melisa Gilbert.
I just accepted a job at as a prison librarian. I have never worked in a prison...just academic libraries. I start in a couple of weeks. What should I expect? I'm nervous, scared, anxious...
I read that Melisa works with corrections and I would like to hear more about why you like corrections libraries over academic libraries.
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Re: Research on Prison Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
1:41 PM EDT 4/2/08
as a reply to M Toledo.
Welcome "mownie",
I'd love to hear more about the transition from an academic to a prison library. I hope others on this forum will jump in.
Emily
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RE: Re: Research on Prison Libraries and Intellectual Freedom
12:50 PM EDT 8/8/08
as a reply to M Toledo.
This brief article Books keep inmates busy from the Everett Herald (Washington state) offers a glimpse at the inmate's perspective on the value of prison libraries. It includes comments from the prison librarian regarding her experiences.
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