I was told on 12/3/12 that the WCCW State Library branch and the WCCW law library were going to trade spaces. On 12/10/12 we closed the branch library and began to pack up and move 542 boxes of books to storage in a warehouse on the grounds. We were told the transition would take 30 to 60 days. I relocated to a dismal cubicle in another building.

As it turned out the original estimate of 60 days turned into 90 days which turned into over 7 months.

On 7/1/13 we moved into the former home of the law library and began the process of unpacking. The new space was painted and new carpet was installed. From 7/1/13 until 7/23/13 many small projects were completed such as having the security gate installed and new smoke detectors were added.

On 7/24/13 we opened the library in our new area, much to the delight of the inmate population. The sight of a line of women leaving the library with their arms loaded with the 15 books they are allowed was (almost) worth the seven month wait.

On May 10th, 2012 the WCCW Library hosted a poetry reading. Laura Sherbo and Doug Gelis planned the event and invited 3 poets to come and read their and other poet’s poems.

70 inmates signed up to attend and 35 showed up to listen to poetry read. This was held in the WCCW Visit Room.  

The first poet to read was Kathleen Flenniken. Kathleen is the current Poet Laureate of Washington State. The second poet to read was Merna Ann Hecht. Merna is a social justice educator, storyteller, and poet. The third poet to read was Storme Webber. Storme is a spoken word, vocal, and visual artist.

This was not only my first time to host and serve as the emcee at a poetry reading, it was also my first time attending a poetry reading.  The reaction among the inmates was interesting because every single comment was positive. When the poets, who by the way, had 3 powerful and very different voices, asked if there were any questions, the only questions were when can you 3 come back.

WCCW Library

The new year started off with a bang. On 1/11/11 we hosted Library Snapshot Day at the Washington Corrections Center for Women. The day really highlighted who we are and what we do everyday. Inmates had their photos taken in the library and were told how their friends and families could access their pictures on Facebook.

Jump to March and the hot issue became library expansion. Laura and I met with our Associate Supt to talk about expanding the library area by taking over the adjoining room. This conversation is in its 14th year so stay tuned.

April brought spring flowers and a new circulation system named Destiny.

June was a good month for the library as the inmates here ponied up $1000 for me to buy books.

Jump again to December and the big news was the snow. The library and entire school building were closed on 12/20, 12/21, and 12/22.

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 they can be somebody and move on with their lives after prison.

The author of this piece was able to find everything she needed for the article in the WCCW library. The library has always offered material in demand by patrons, and today the focus seems to be on growth and potential.

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.

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.”

The Washington State Library’s Institutional Library Services (ILS) team hosted their very own Library Snapshot Day yesterday (1/11/11). Photos and stories from the event are being posted on Facebook, and you can find them under: ILS Library Snap Shot Day.

Photos and stories are rolling in from institutions across the state, including: Washington State Reformatory, Western State Hospital, Washington State Penitentiary (East and West complexes), Clallam Bay Corrections Center, Washington Corrections Center for Women, Eastern State Hospital, and the Stafford Bay Correction Center.

Check them out now over on Facebook.

While you’re over there, check out our other WSL Facebook pages:

• Washington State Library
• Washington Talking Book and Braille Library
• WSL Institutional Library Services

Reading

Reading takes on a new meaning for some inmates as they try to keep in touch with their children. Many of the inmates will try to read the same books that their children are reading at home. Currently one father is reading the Monster Manor series by Paul Martin, trying to stay one book ahead of his daughter. Not only does it give him something to talk about with his daughter, but the experience is even more valuable. By showing an interest in something his daughter enjoys and being able to discuss it with her, shows a great amount of respect for her. This will help him build a lasting relationship even while incarcerated. Reading is a joy, but sometimes reading for others provides so much more.

The following is a comment made by an inmate at the Washington Corrections Center for Women:

“I am 40 years old and I have read more in the 2 months I have been here @ WCCW than I have my entire life I tell my Daughter the Books I check out and she goes and checks out the same book and we read the Book together and talk about it. the Library not only helps me but it is Helping my Daughter with her reading ability this is something we plan to continue even after my release Thank you you are all a wonderful treasure. My Daughter is only 12 but is now reading at Adult level.”