Clallam Bay Library

The two biggest highlights of 2011 for Clallam Bay Corrections Center were the ILS Library Snapshot Day and the donation of $1,000 to buy library materials.

The ILS Library Snapshot day was a huge hit at the CBCC branch library.  The turnout for each unit was great and many were disappointed when they could not attend due to lack of room.  Stacks of “What library services mean to me” forms were filled out with heartfelt statements, even by those who didn’t make it in for that day.  The guys really felt it was important to let someone – anyone – know how important their library is to them.  Of course the picture taking was a big hit because the pictures were going to be posted on Facebook and their family and friends would be able to see them.  It was a fun filled evening enjoyed by patrons, clerks and staff alike.

The second big event was the donation of $1,000 from the CBIT (Clallam Bay Improvement Team) which is a team of offenders with a staff sponsor.  Their goal is to do things in the institution that improves being incarcerated here. They held a fund raiser, selling pies and chicken purchased at a not so close by store, with a mark up to give the donation.  This is often done by offenders who only make $.34 an hour.  It was touching to me that when they found out that the budget for the library had been cut drastically they were all willing to spend their hard earned money so a good donation could be given and new books and music could be purchased for their library.

Appreciation in action

I’ve worked for Washington State Library at Clallam Bay Corrections Center for 17 years.  I love what I do, but it isn’t always the easiest of jobs.  The mood of the institution can get depressing at times.

I have four library clerks, offenders that I work with on a daily basis. They have varying degrees of education but are all really good workers and for the most part have good attitudes. We laugh, talk books, sports, music, movies and all the time trying to be correctly professional and not be overly friendly.  It is a fine line to walk.

One clerk has worked for me over two years and in the first year it was just the two of us running the library for one reason or another.  After I had hired more clerks I gave him a small paper gold star telling him how much I appreciated his working so hard and professionally with just my help.  Another clerk who has been with me for over a year got a gold star for his willingness to do anything I ask him to do plus the initiative he shows in organizing and keeping the library tidy.  So, now the other two are striving for a gold star.

Today they surprised me by making a gold star for me to tell me how much I was appreciated as their boss.  It nearly brought me to tears and makes me so glad that I work in an institution and can make a difference, even if only for a few.