This is the first of a 2-part blog series, where students from the School of Information, Journalism and Communication at the University of Sheffield reflect on what they have learned about prison libraries during their distance learning Library and Information Services Management degree.
Jodi: Before starting the LISM course at Sheffield, I knew very little about prison libraries. My introduction to them came through a book listed in our advanced reading list – Books Beyond Bars, by Lisa Krolak. This gave me a better understanding of prison libraries and I was keen to learn more. I remember raving to my partner about how awesome it is that reading can reduce the rate of recidivism. On reflection, I realise that I was only really seeing the benefits of prison libraries to our wider society, i.e. less crime – great for everyone! It wasn’t until after an essay I wrote that I really started to see the true value of prison libraries.
I chose an assignment question about the benefits of family reading programmes in prisons. I knew a little about them and knew they were remarkable, so I wanted to look deeper into this. Turns out, I found it emotionally difficult to write this essay. I was in kinship care from a young age and had no contact with my parents, so reading around this subject dredged up a lot of memories. The connection I felt to the subject truly added depth to my learning, though. I started to really see the value of prison libraries (and their wonderful librarians!) for incarcerated individuals and their families.
Another thing on the course I found to be particularly interesting and helpful was an interview with two librarians from HMP Swansea; having that personal insight into the role gave me a much better idea of the work involved, it was like having a mini work experience session!
I came into this programme wanting to become a school librarian, and now I am equally interested in prison librarianship. It’s interesting where new knowledge and understanding can take you.
Jodi Chaplin is in the first year of the LISM Masters course. She works as an editorial coordinator for a corporate publishing company and volunteers at her local public library on weekends.
Nicola: Prior to the prison libraries module on the MA Library and Information Services Management course I had no knowledge of prison library services or their operational management. An introduction to the sector earlier in the course sparked my curiosity and led me to selecting the module to find out more.
The module consisted of a variety of learning opportunities in addition to lectures and academic reading, which I felt contributed to gaining deeper insights. Such as
- interviews with prison librarians
- a virtual tour of a library at a men’s prison
- examples of current initiatives and projects.
My key learning points about prison libraries were
- they are based on the public library model, facilitating the right to access information and meeting the needs of the community.
- provision and access varies.
- they are well used and valued by their users. Providing opportunities for self-development and relief from the prison environment, within a relaxing and welcoming space.
- they provide support during incarceration from adapting to prison life to release and re-entry. This includes informal and lifelong learning opportunities, such as developing confidence in reading and career support.
- I was particularly interested in the wider rehabilitation and holistic support provided by the library in relation to services to support mental health and wellbeing, maintaining connections to family and the provision of resources and activities to engage in personal and cultural interests.
During the module it was intriguing to consider wider perspectives, in addition to librarianship, whilst exploring the role of the library in relation to rehabilitation. This includes educational and criminological perspectives, and learning from the lived experience of people in prison.
Overall the module enabled me to gain a fascinating insight into the wide variety services provided and the positive impact they have during incarceration and beyond, whilst also recognising the challenges faced.
Nicola Glynn is a 2nd year student on the LISM programme and currently works as a Subject Librarian supporting health-related courses.
Saki: Libraries have always been part of my life and in my work as a school librarian, I knew this module was going to be a brilliant one. Having Dr. Jayne Finlay as a Module Lead as well was cool too; I have a friend pursuing their MA in librarianship at a different university and they were a bit envious when they realised who would be leading our lectures!
However, after reading Angela Y Davis’s writings and having spoken to an author who previously worked with prisoners and was less than favourable about the experience, I was apprehensive about the module. As I’m sitting writing this blog post, I think about my dissertation positionality statement; research and every professional interaction we have is touched by our lived experiences and assumptions. Needless to say, my biases were present.
But thank goodness I joined this module – those assumptions were dismissed almost immediately. Mandela’s quote ‘No one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its’ jails. A nation should not be judged on how it treats its highest citizens, but its’ lowest’ resonated with me. Learning about the literacy programmes and Storybook Dads warmed my heart and made me realise that everyone should have access to information and stories. It made me realise that I constantly fight for children’s access to libraries, why couldn’t I do the same for incarcerated people?
I also went to visit San Francisco later that year and visited Alcatraz Prison with my friend. We were stunned by the Library and the book bannings that were rife when it was operating.
This module taught me of the variance in librarianship roles, but the similarities in the issues that we face as LIS professionals (e.g. book bannings, access or the lack thereof to information and stories, the benefits of storytelling to EVERY person (not just the children).
Thank you for reading!
Saki Shibuya is currently in her second and final year of her MA Library and Information Services Management. She isn’t working at the moment but will soon be founding a Junior School Library for a brand new international school in Bangkok; any good author links you can send their way would be deeply appreciated! In their spare time, Saki loves reading adult literature (recent favourite: The Other Bennet Sister!) and eating; there are currently over 400 places that have the ‘Saki seal of approval’ in Bangkok.
