WALE CONFERENCE – Institutional Library Services from the Hospital Perspective
Rehab, Recovery and Re-Entry: the role of Institutional Library Services in Washington State
Presenter:
Kathleen Benoun - Western State Hospital Patients Library
Institutional Library Services
Never enough time, bored doesn’t exist here
From the time the door unlocks until it locks again at the end of the day the library drives the moments for self away. I need to write a blog entry, and have two requests for information, twenty-two Interlibrary Loan requests to search for and find, new books on the way, emails to answer and a four man crew to watch over and train. I am lucky to have the crew, or I wouldn't be able to process the circulation of items and the patron requests.
A Prison Library Service
We try to be the best library service, and don't dwell on the fact that we are the only library service inside the prison - we compare ourselves with all Libraries as such. I have worked at Tacoma Public Library and at Pacific Lutheran University's Mortvedt Library. While I have to admit they have much larger collections, awesome budgets and dedicated professional staff, I have to say I feel more needed here inside the prison.
ILS to Host British Recipient of “Travelling Librarian Award”
"An award jointly sponsored by the English Speaking Union and The Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) is granted each year to a professionally qualified librarian working in British libraries or information centres. The programme is designed to encourage US/UK contacts in the library world and the visit is for two weeks and normally takes place in the autumn." We are very excited to be hosting this year's recipient who works in a privately managed women's prison in Middlesex.
WALE CONFERENCE – Institutional Library Services from the Prison Perspective pt. 2
My Work Day: I unlock the library and start turning it on, taking off my jacket and stuff to stay awhile, change the backup tape, put a new battery in the radio on my belt, type in passwords for the computers and the level of user, go unlock the book return box and switch bins. When movement is called the crew will report in, I log the time and greet them, the talk dwells on whatever happened since the last we saw each other - dreams, visits, plans for today's work and adjustments in operations.
Diversity in Washington State Library – ILS
- Staffing consists of 16 women, 3 men, and 4 members of the staff have an MLS, and 2 vacancies.
- Institutions in Washington State with library services provided by ILS include 1 prison that houses women, 9 prisons that house men, 2 state hospitals, and 11 camps that receive ILL service from staff of ILS.
- Age range of staff 31-65
- 355 years of combined library experience
Men of the ILS
Although they're few in number, They go boldly in their questto provide the gift of the spoken wordThey are the Men of the ILS The undeserved, the underdogs,and those who society rejects,These are the ones who should give thanks,to the Men of the ILS There's Doug who serves ‘the cherubs'And Earl, he loves his bike,And Bob, he keeps things running smooth.These are the Men of the ILS And now we all pay tributeAs life's milestones they passYou're not just getting older guys...you're getting better.We love our Men of the ILS. Lyla BrekkeMarch 2008
Washington State Penitentiary-East Complex Branch Library
The Washington State Penitentiary (WSP) was built in 1889 in the rich agricultural country of Walla Walla. The East Complex Branch Library has been part of the WSL family since 1966 and provides services to 982 offenders. 15,000 items are housed in aproximatley 1650 sq. ft. creating a welcoming environment for the offenders to meet their educational, informational, and recreational needs.
A typical day for me.
Since I started working in correctional libraries I have not had a chance to be bored and that is the way I like it. From the moment I leave my car to the movement I get back into it to go home, there is something for me to do. Just an example of what my day can be like: Arrive at the institution about 11:45 am.