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The prison and psychiatric hospital libraries were happy to participate in the Library Snapshot Day again this year.  With the libraries open an average of 4.75 hrs for the day there were 1,033 visitors across the state.  Check out the rest of the numbers here.   Also checkout the pictures on our Facebook Page.

WCC Library

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 the Recieving Units, otherwise known as the R-Units.  I got approval, which lead to several months of a rotating door.  The inmates moved in and out of the institution so fast that I was not able to keep up with  them. Because this led to the loss of too many library materials, this trial service was suspended.  However, we were lucky that we still had all of the books and other material from the McNeil Island Corrections Center library that has closed in 2010.  This material found a home in the R-Units here at WCC giving the many readers that transititioned through the facility an escape from prison life. 

During this trial period, we also started serving a unique unit here at WCC, the Re-Entry Unit.  This unit is full of offenders who have 6 months or less till they return to society.  I have been grateful that I have been able to provide them with much needed re-entry material that will help them transition into society.  They continue to come to the library today and will be joining the long term inmates in our WCC Reading Program as we read some of the classics.

Even as 2011 came to a close I realized that the ups and downs have made us all stronger and we continue to provide a much needed service to the inmates in all of our institutions.  I personally look forward to moving forward in 2012.

Joyce Hanna

It is always nice to hear that you are doing a good job.  Joyce Hanna recently received this Kite telling her how much she is appreciated at Airway Heights Corrections Center.

WCC Library ready to receive the books

 In these tough times it can be hard to stay positive. We wait for budget cuts to decide our fates and hope that book budgets will not disappear and libraries will not close.  However, there are encouraging things that are happening.  Not only did the inmates from Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) donate $1000 to their library, we received a $3000 donation from the Muckleshoot Native American Tribe for the library at Washington Corrections Center (WCC).  This donation has come at a time when we need it most and it will be greatly appreciated by the patrons of the library.  This will be a constant reminder to me that even in these tough times libraries are important and people are willing to support them.  So from now on I will be trying to stay positive and focus on the good things, not just worry about the bad.

As prison librarians we serve a population that does not have a lot of options for getting information.  We can provide service with a smile and enthusiasm or with a negative attitude.  Jeannie Remillard is the most positive person I have ever met.  Even as we face budget cuts that could mean the loss of more valuable staff, Jeannie’s continued optimism has been a shining light for all of us.  Jeannie provides a valuable service to the inmates at Stafford Creek Corrections Center, a service that does not always receive the recognition that it deserves. But then a THANK YOU like this one from a patron on behalf of himself and others arrives in the mail and shows her that all her work is not in vain.  The last 20 years in prison has been a time of great change, but with a smile and enthusiasm Jeannie continues to provide excellent service.

Working in prison libraries, we spend time answering “kites” from inmates in the locked units.  These kites are usually pretty basic reference questions, but every once in awhile we get one that just make us laugh.  Recently one such request was received at the Washington State Penitentiary, from an inmate in the Intensive Management Unit.  The information he requested was pretty straight forward until the last line …   kite……He got the information he wanted but security concerns prevented library staff from doing more!

AHCC Library

Recently an Interlibrary loan book was returned to the Airway Heights Corrections Center (AHCC) Library.  Now we are not sure if the inmate enjoyed the book, but it seems that he felt it was a good way to leave a message to the next reader.  Attached to the inside front cover is a message to any future readers to feel free to contact him, with address supplied.

WCCW Library

It is not everyday that inmates are recognized for the work they do for the community.  Inmates are serving time for a crime they have committed against society.  However, many of them are making a difference in any way they can.  This includes the Braille Team at WCCW.  These women have taken the time to develop their skill and to become certified so that they can provide a wonderful service to the blind community.  To read more about the service that these women are providing checkout “Braille Team Receives Award from Washington State School of the Blind.”

Lyla Brekke awards Anna Nash with Employee of the Year 2010

The youngest and most energetic member of ILS was awarded with Employee of the year for 2010.  Anna has grown up in the library with a family that loves libraries and books.  Anna continues to look towards her future with her entrance to library school at the University of Washington this fall.  In the last year Anna spear-headed the ILS Library Snapshot Day (the first in Washington), inspiring her coworkers to join her in her advocacy of libraries.  She has brought a breath of fresh air to her co-workers, giving them a chance to see new perspectives on a job they all love.

Kathleen accepting 30 years of Service certificate from Rand Simmons Washington State Librarian

Kathleen is a wonderful storyteller with a patience that has served her well as the Library Associate at Western State Hospital.  On June 15, 2011 Kathleen will become the longest working member of the Institutional Library Service team.  30 years of wonderful service was celebrated with a presentation of a certificate and award by State Librarian Rand Simmons.