This will be my last blog post. I am leaving Institutional Library Services for a new adventure in the academic world. I plan to follow the blog and keep up with all the news, because I may be leaving prison, but it will always have my support. I think that we all do good work and we should never be forgotten. Times are changing and I have seen great things come out of the prison libraries here in Washington State…
Dear Dewey from Western State Hospital has a new name…Dewey Digest and a new format. Check out the latest issue, “Dog Days of Summer.”
My job in the Washington State Library Branch at the Washington State Penitentiary has exposed me to an area of librarianship I never would have thought I was suited for. When I started at the penitentiary library I was green as they say but over the last five years I’ve learned a lot about how to provide library resources to a unique population of individuals. The inmates are from many situations in their lives and those who take advantage of…
Check it out HERE!
On Friday, May 31st the Airway Heights Corrections Center Branch of the Washington State Library had two special visitors: Secretary of State Kim Wyman and Assistant Secretary of State Ken Raske. The visit lasted around an hour and a half. AHCC Associate Superintendent Ron Haynes was also in attendance. On the way into the library, they got to see the inmates working with the dogs and Ron Haynes explained the program to them. The visit was very comfortable. Both Kim…
The staff of ILS wanted to give our supervisor Laura a special “60th” surprise birthday party at Palisades. We wanted Laura to know that we really do appreciate all she does for us and give her a very special birthday to remember. Jeannie and I had been talking, and since Laura has a “Goat collection” we decided we should come up with a live goat for her party. Since I have friends who own goats I thought I could get…
On Thursday, April 18, 2013 the Washington State Library participated in Washington Library Snapshot Day–a statewide effort to promote the important work libraries do every day. We collected usage statistics, customer comments, and photographs depicting everyday activities at the Washington State Library, its 17 branches, and the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library. On Library Snapshot Day, the Washington State Library, including its branches throughout the state: Was open for business for a total of 77.5 hours. Answered 509 reference…
Washington State Library Institutional Libraries celebrate National Library Week. The Institutional Library Service (ILS) is a program of the Washington State Library, It consists of nine adult correctional facility libraries and two adult psychiatric hospital libraries. Our dedicated libraries embrace their mission: “With spirit and fortitude, ILS branch staff enhances the quality of life for unique populations by providing a welcoming, neutral and secure place where informational, educational, and recreational needs are met.” Did you know? Libraries make prisons &…
On April 9th, 2013, at the invitation of Library Associate Gayle Shonkwiler, Patricia Briggs, author of the Mercy Thompson shapeshifter series, visited the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center. The presentation was very well received and liked by the 30 inmates in attendance. Patricia read from her newest best seller “Frost Burned” which was just released in March. After the reading she answered questions about everything from her books, how to write, how to get published and character development. Patricia thoroughly enjoyed her…
American Libraries celebrate Women’s History Month! We salute the new Secretary of State Kim Wyman—the second woman to hold that position in Washington State. Kim served as Thurston County Auditor for 12 years prior to her election. Dear Dewey-WSH Newsletter March 2013