Providing Library Services to Inmates

Library Journal has recently released an article on library services for inmates. Though it does focus solely on the United States context, it provides an overview of a variety of resources and programs currently offered to inmates by public, prison, and jail libraries. Some of the services being offered include programs on the topics of self-employment, financial literacy, and Shakespeare (for more information on this initiative, see this video from Indiana State University). The article concludes with suggestions on how libraries can better serve inmates and released inmates, most of which are focused around building stronger partnerships between public and prison libraries.

In a more local context, members of the Edmonton library community (including some FLIF members) are currently involved in a number of projects at the Edmonton Institution for Women. The GELA (Greater Edmonton Library Association) Women’s prison subcommittee has a blog where readers can learn more about these various projects and find out how to get involved.