On June 29th, the American Library Association adopted the Prisoners’ Right to Read: an Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights. This important action by the association asserts basic information access rights to all incarcerated individuals. Diane Walden, senior consultant in the Institutional Library Development unit of the Colorado State Library, was the primary drafter of this exceptional document. A year-and-a-half in the making, she guided the document through its many drafts and the ALA Intellectual Freedom Committee’s approval process. Diane crafted a powerful document that will support those working in libraries serving the incarcerated for years to come.
Erica MacCreaigh, also a senior consultant in the Institutional Library Development unit, states, “I think The Prisoner’s Right to Read will prove itself the single most powerful document in the English language for correctional librarians. It carries a weight of authority not found in other writings about correctional libraries. As such, it should prove a substantial asset to anyone striving to uphold the fundamental principles of librarianship in an environment designed to oppose them.”
Correctional librarians work in a unique environment where, similar to school and some special libraries, “appropriate content” is mandated by a non-library parent agency. Most guiding professional documents are outdated, insufficient, or not applicable.
To fill that gap, Diane Walden, member of the Institutional Library Development team at Colorado State Library, and Ray James, Research Specialist (Texas) have crafted “Prisoners’ Right to Read: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights.”
“Prisoners’ Right to Read” will provide correctional librarians with an intellectual freedom values statement tailored to their unique work environment and guidelines for aligning program outcomes and goals with those values.
Continue reading ‘Seeking Input: Prisoners’ Right to Read Statement’
One of a libraries biggest challenges can be–if you’ll pardon the pun–challenged materials. Recently, Douglas County Libraries received a reconsideration request from a patron for the book “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding.” Jamie LaRue, DCL’s Director, shared his response to the concerned patron on his blog. Like Jamie, I think this book is likely to be widely challenged and encourage everyone to read this thoughtful, well-reasoned letter.
What You’re Saying