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Tag: prison libraries

High Hopes for 2012

High Hopes for 2012

  2011 saw many changes at the Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC). The institution changed to a closed movement facility and this has had a dramatic impact on library attendance. From what was a full library most movements has changed to about half our normal capacity.   We started the year out with a Library Snapshot Day. Everyone had a blast and the atmosphere here was full of excitement. In February DOC started to make changes to increase security and for…

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Village Voice

Village Voice

A newsletter at Washington Corrections Center for Women covers several topics including community, health, and historical figures.  The February 2012 issue of the Village Voice included an article on Leroy Eldridge Cleaver: “By his example we learn that though we have spent our years struggling with the law or addiction, it does not mean that we aren’t someone of importance. WE ARE SOMEBODY!!!”  This article is inspiring and offers the women in WCCW the inspiration they need to know that…

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State Library’s Sherbo receives national honor

State Library’s Sherbo receives national honor

Laura Sherbo of the Washington State Library is the 2012 recipient of a prestigious national award for her exemplary leadership of the branch libraries that serve Washington prison inmates and state mental hospital patients. The award is from the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies, a division of the American Library Association.  The award honors a professional who “exemplifies leadership and achievement in consulting, library cooperation, networking, statewide service and programs, and/or state library development.” Sherbo, branch library services manager,…

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CRCC Community Read 2012

CRCC Community Read 2012

The “community read movement” started in 1998 in Seattle and has gained popularity across the United States. I’ve been intrigued by them for many years. And while I hear about them all the time, I’ve never heard of one taking place inside a prison. So, last summer, I decided to organize one for Coyote Ridge. And it wasn’t easy, but I did it. The book I decided to use was Jamie Ford’s Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet….

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Case of the stolen pens!!!

Case of the stolen pens!!!

When I started working in a library in a maximum-security prison about 11 years ago, I quickly picked up on the fact that having a sense of humor goes a long way when dealing with convicted felons. It was a typical day.  The library was busy with activity.  I stepped away from my desk for a few minutes to answer the telephone.  Upon returning to my desk, I noticed that a couple of my pens were missing.  I blurted out…

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Trial, error, and success was the name of the game at WCC in 2011

Trial, error, and success was the name of the game at WCC in 2011

When I first came to the Washington Corrections Center Library in 2010 I went through a little bit of a culture shock.  I had worked in other facilities, but nothing like WCC.  This library serves a small population of inmates who are housed here on a long term basis, but the institution has the unique aspect of being the receiving center for all male inmates in the state of Washington.  In 2011 I asked if the library could provide service to…

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Grateful for Another Day

Grateful for Another Day

The last few years have been difficult for all due to the state of the economy.  In spite of shrinking budgets and the uncertainty of the future, the staff in Institutional Library Services have lived up to their mission by continuing to serve their customers “with spirit and fortitude”. Over the next few weeks ILS will be sharing what they have been thankful for in the year 2011 and how they look forward to 2012.  Please check out the upcoming posts from the library…

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Book club a success at Airway Heights Corrections Center

Book club a success at Airway Heights Corrections Center

On November 18, 2011 at 9:50 am the Airway Heights Corrections Center Inmate Book Club met for the first time. It was a wonderful experience for the inmates and for me as well. Our first book was Cannery Row, by John Steinbeck. There were 13 inmates who read the book and participated in the discussion. On December 2, 2011 at 8:00 am we met again to view the movie. Only 7 inmates were able to make the viewing. Afterwards we…

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