WA Secretary of State Blogs

A Long Wait

Monday, July 29th, 2013 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | 1 Comment »


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.

WCCW Library

Emcee at Poetry Reading at Washington Corrections Center for Women

Wednesday, May 16th, 2012 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | Comments Off on Emcee at Poetry Reading at Washington Corrections Center for Women


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.

THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS 2011

Friday, April 20th, 2012 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | Comments Off on THAT WAS THE YEAR THAT WAS 2011


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.

Village Voice

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | Comments Off on 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 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.

Donation from Muckleshoot Tribe is greatly appreciated in these tough times

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | Comments Off on Donation from Muckleshoot Tribe is greatly appreciated in these tough times


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.

$1000 Donation from inmates at WCCW

Friday, December 2nd, 2011 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | 1 Comment »


Doug Gelis, one happy librarian with $1000 donation

When the inmates at Washington Corrections Center for Women heard that my book budget was frozen ( again ) , they asked me if there was anything that they could do. I informed them that I could take donations. Soon after this the tier reps approached me and said they were going to do a fundraiser for the library. Last week I sent a check to Laura Sherbo for $1000.00 which is earmarked for the purchase of books for WCCW Library. A very big thank you goes out to all of the inmates at WCCW.

Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) Braille Team Receives Award

Thursday, August 11th, 2011 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | Comments Off on Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) Braille Team Receives Award


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.”

Library Snapshot Day in review at Washington Corrections Center for Women

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | 1 Comment »


Patrons of the Washington Corrections Center for Women Library

I was very nervous on 1/10/11 about Library Snapshot Day. A lot of things can go wrong in a prison library setting. It turned out to be a very positive experience. We always have bookmarks to hand out but on this day we had some rather fancy ones for our patrons. These fancy ones said Washington Rural Heritage on the front and a short bio on the back about a famous Washingtonian. My customers loved the attention of getting their photos taken and they all had the chance to fill out a survey that told us how we were doing in the library. The inmates learned that their family would be able to go to a website and view their pictures and this thrilled them. It was a fun day for all.

ILS Library Snapshot Day

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 Posted in Articles, For Libraries, For the Public, Institutional Library Services | Comments Off on ILS Library Snapshot Day


ILS Library Snap Shot DayThe 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:

Reading for Others

Monday, October 5th, 2009 Posted in Articles, Institutional Library Services | Comments Off on Reading for Others


Reading

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.”