CEA Forums - Libraries

Take an opportunity to make a difference! (no replies)

BJ Berquist — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:56:21 -0500

Here's something to think about. There is a fairly new organization about which Jerry Bednarowski has been sharing information. I hope you have checked it out. If not, take a gander at [fairshake.net] Sue Kastensen has proposed providing a publication that would be available to prison librarians. The following is what she sent to Jerry and me:

I have an idea I’d like to share. I am looking for ideas for creating a Reentry News publication that could be sent to prisons all over the country. It could be sent directly to libraries, like a news paper. I believe I can find the funding to print it… possibly only semi-annually…but quarterly would be great. I have a lot of ideas around how this could look, what info could be included, et al. I’d love to find out more about what it might take to present a publication for a prison library to commit to accepting a free subscription.

I am not a librarian and I am retired (so I'm pretty much worthless...librarians are the best!) but, this is one of the primary reasons that the forum exists. Let's see if it works. Post your ideas and comments to the Librarians CEA Forum list or zip me an email at berquist@pa.net and I can post for you. Let's show Sue what CEA Librarians can do!

PDCI Inmates Create "Little Free Libraries" (no replies)

Jerry Bednarowski — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:56:35 -0400

PDCI Inmates Create "Little Free Libraries"

A DOC pilot program at Prairie du Chien Correctional Institution (Wisconsin) is helping promote reading and literacy in Wisconsin communities. Last month, DOC Secretary Gary Hamblin and PDCI Warden Gary Boughton officially presented inmate-crafted library book boxes to the non-profit group the Little Free Library Project for installation in some cities and villages. The DOC effort is part of a statewide Read to Lead Initiative to promote literacy.

The donation is the result of a pilot program between the DOC and the Little Free Library Project to promote reading opportunities for children and literacy for adults. PDCI has a Buildings, Maintenance and Construction vocational program through Southwest Technical College which integrated the construction of the Little Free Library boxes into its curriculum.

“Our partnership with the Little Free Library Project helps promote reading as well as literacy and job skills among our inmate population,” said Secretary Hamblin. “The pilot program takes donated lumber and produces not only more reading opportunities in communities, but valuable woodworking skills for our offenders that they can use later to secure employment. It’s a positive program for everyone involved.”

The Little Free Library Project receives donated boxes and places them in community spots throughout Wisconsin and other states. The inmate-created boxes are decorated with different themes and will be set up in the small Richland County village of Boaz as well as in Kimberly, Madison and Milwaukee. The location of the fifth library box has yet to be decided.

At the presentation Secretary Hamblin said since the pilot project at PDCI has been successful, DOC will explore setting up similar efforts at other institutions to help promote reading opportunities in more Wisconsin communities.

For more information about the Little Free Library Project, visit www.littlefreelibrary.org .

taken from: DOC website

Survey of library services to incarcerated youth (1 reply)

jennifer.sweeney@comcast.net — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:16:00 -0400

**Apologies for cross-posting to multiple CEA SIGs**

Hello CEA library people,

Please take a few minutes to complete The Survey of Library Services to Juveniles in Detention available here: [www.surveymonkey.com]

This is the first comprehensive data collection program specifically for library services to incarcerated youth. Information is being collected on library characteristics such as collections, staffing, and services. Even if your facility does not have a “formal library”, I urge you to please complete the survey anyway: books on shelves in pods are considered “libraries” for this survey, as are bookmobile or other library-service visits from volunteers or others.

Results will be used to improve youth access to books, reading, and library programs.

The American Library Association has selected this project as the pilot platform to collect the very first comprehensive dataset on libraries serving youth in detention. The survey is supported by a grant from the American Library Association, with additional support from Drexel University, the Ohio State University Libraries, and the American Correctional Association.

A pdf of the survey can be accessed here: [www.jdclibraries.weebly.com] and is also attached to this post.

Your information is confidential. Only aggregate results will be published. A copy of the survey report can be emailed to you if you wish.

The survey will be open until APRIL 30, 2011. If you have any questions, please contact me at the email address below.

Thank you for helping with this important data collection project.

Jennifer Sweeney

Adjunct faculty
College of Information Science & Technology
Drexel University
jensweeney@drexel.edu

Forthcoming: Literacy: A way out for at-risk youth (Libraries Unlimited, 2011).

Librarians Working w/Incarcerated Youth (no replies)

BJ Berquist — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 18:09:45 -0400

RT@CherylRainfield Authors--if you have extra galleys, 1 place to donate them is to librarians who work w incarcerated youth [ht.ly]

Check out this wiki...might be useful to you or someone you know (pass it on!).

from Twitter
by BJ Berquist
bjb@tappedin.org
www.twitter.com/tappedinorg

Wisconsin 2010 LSTA Grant Projects (no replies)

Jerry Bednarowski — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 11:46:01 -0500

Wisconsin 2010 LSTA Grant Projects

Among the LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) projects approved for funding in Wisconsin in 2010 is a Dane County Library Service grant for Outreach to the Dane County Jail System. The $7,622 grant will address the diverse literacy needs of those incarcerated in the Dane County Jail.

The objectives of the grant are:
1. To encourage literacy among the inmates in the Dane County Jail System by purchasing a collection of high interest/low level reading books and magazines in English and Spanish for a targeted population of 805.
2. To provide a monthly book discussion group for a targeted population of 100 inmates.
3. To increase the awareness of public library resources for reading and independent learning by providing a targeted population of 150 Dane County Jail residents with LINKcat online catalog training sessions and access to library information and card applications.
4. To increase staff understanding and sensitivity to inmates by attending the Returning Prisoner Simulation Workshop sponsored by the Madison-Area Urban Ministry.

The grant will provide the Dane County Library Service with a framework of training and materials that will support the literacy needs of inmates incarcerated in the Dane County Jail System.

Because many of those incarcerated at the Dane County Jail struggle with learning disabilities, it’s important to provide access to literacy material tailored to a variety of abilities. The current jail library holdings consist entirely of random donated materials which fail to meet the needs of the diverse jail population. The LSTA grant will increase the number of high interest/low level reading materials available to inmates. The grant will also address the lack of Spanish language materials available for inmates. By providing materials that are tailored specifically to meet the diverse needs of inmates, the grant will make literacy accessible for a larger population of those incarcerated in the Dane County Jail.

Dane County Library Service will collaborate with the Jail Library Group and the Madison Metropolitan School District to provide a monthly book discussion group at the Dane County Jail. Book Discussion groups will provide motivation to read and allow inmates a chance to sharpen their literacy skills. Book Discussion Groups provide a sense of community as they allow inmates a chance to relate with others through the exchange of opinions and ideas.

LINKcat online library catalog training will be offered to inmates who are currently working on receiving their high school diploma from the Madison Metropolitan School District. These students will be offered an opportunity to apply for a library card and a library information packet.

The grant will provide inmates at the Dane County Jail a wide array of literacy materials and educational support. Literacy skills are a key component in determining inmate recidivism. Studies have consistently shown that the risk of recidivism diminishes incrementally with the amount of education that inmates receive while incarcerated. The LSTA grant will support educational achievement through collaboration with Madison Metropolitan School District. The grant will also provide an overview of free public library resources that are available to inmates to take advantage of upon their release back into the community.

eBooks in a Correctional Setting (no replies)

BJ Berquist — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:48:37 -0400

RT @ericrumsey: RT @rivenhomewood‎ eBooks in a Correctional Setting - Interesting story by Oregon Prison Librarian [bit.ly]

from Twitter
by BJ Berquist
bjb@tappedin.org
www.twitter.com/tappedinorg

President's Council Report with Attached File (no replies)

murray ellison — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:13:14 -0400

Please review and submit any feedback on the proposed re-organization of the SIG's and the President's Council to me or Tim Phillians ASAP. Thanks for everyone's support over the last 4 years from current Chair-Murray Ellison. Beginning July 4, Tim will be the new Chairman of the President's Council. Please give him and our new proposed re-organization of the SIGs, your support!

President's Council Report - July 2010 (no replies)

murray ellison — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 09:57:10 -0400

Proposed Consolidation of SIG's (no replies)

murray ellison — Wed, 12 May 2010 08:39:21 -0400

I am considering recommending to consolidate the SIG's. There are only a handful of active SIG's and SIG Chairs at the present time. Under the proposed consolidation, we might bring the SIG's down to 3: Adult, Youth and Administrative. The present SIG Chairs would remain as Chairs or Moderators of the SIG's. Under the re-organization, any Chair would be encouraged to post or respond to any issue or question that came up on any SIG Discussion Group.
* Adult might encompass Parenting, Transition & Re-Entry, Adult Research,
Post Secondary Education, Student Affiliations and Female Offenders.
* Youth might encompass Juvenile Education, Literacy, Arts, Special Education...
* Administrative might encompass state and school administrators, reaserch and
legislation.
Please provide feedback whether you are a SIG Chair or CEA Member. I will need to provide recommendations to the CEA Executive Board by June 15 and the President's Council at the upcoming July conference.
Also, please note a change in my home email to: bluemur@verizon.net
Thanks

Dr. Murray Ellison
CEA President's Council Chairman

President's Council Report - November 2009 (no replies)

murrayellison — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:21:29 -0500

See November 2009 Report

Children of Prisoners Library (1 reply)

Jerry Bednarowski — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:46:10 -0500

Children of Prisoners Library

More than one in forty children in the United States has a parent in prison. The loss of a parent to incarceration means a crisis for that child. Concerned people in all settings are dealing with children of incarcerated parents and their caregivers daily, but in most cases without benefit of training or specific information.

To help meet this need, Family and Corrections Network created a resource --- the Children of Prisoners Library (CPL), an Internet based resource. The CPL provides free information sheets designed for people serving children of prisoners and their caregivers. These resources may be accessed at www.fcnetwork.org.

Using interviews with caregivers, Ann Adalist-Estrin wrote the following article which is an example of information available from the Children of Prisoners Library.

What Do Children of Prisoners and their Caregivers Need?

Every child, family, and circumstance is different. Some children are used to parents who were not around much before their incarceration. Some children have parents who are unpredictable because of depression or drugs or alcohol. Other children’s parents were actively involved with them before they went to jail or prison.

Some children may have been traumatized by witnessing a violent arrest or may have a history of traumatizing experiences. Some children of prisoners may have no contact with their parent; others talk to their incarcerated parent every day.

Some children move to a new city or state. Some change schools or go into day care so their caregivers can work. Children will need different things from caregivers depending on their age, temperament and personality, the family circumstances, the facts and details of the crime, and the availability of outside resources.

Most Caregivers Need
 Support and understanding from friends, family, clergy, and the community
 Emotional support, such as counseling or group activities
 Information about children of incarcerated parents as well as about services in the community
 Guidance about what is generally best for children and how to answer their questions
 Rules, boundaries, and space in the home: for the children, for the family and for the caregiver
 Opportunities for respite care and relief from the duties of care giving
 Help with managing the needs and services that are all too often fragmented, unavailable, or costly

Most Children of Prisoners Need
 Consistent caring adults who understand that, in general, children love their parents, even when they have committed a crime
 People who will not condemn the incarcerated parents as worthless
 People who will understand that children of prisoners feel angry, sad, confused, and worried
 A chance to express these feelings and learn to cope with them
 A chance to learn and practice skills and keep busy with activities
 Faith or affiliation with a community that can provide meaning for the child beyond their own crisis
 People who can help them to maintain contact with their incarcerated parent or parents or explain to them why they cannot maintain contact

Books for Incarcerated Teens (no replies)

BJ Berquist — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:12:20 -0400

Sue gave me permission to forward this post from the Librarians list. She's looking forward to hearing from anyone interested in contributing or learning more about the project.
BJ

Date: Sun, 21 Jun 2009 23:25:40 -0400
From: "Giffard, Sue"
Subject: HIT: Books for incarcerated teens

Here is my original target post:

I have just begun helping someone plan a program to set up libraries in juvenile detention facilities in New York State. Her pilot >project is with a group of older teen boys (15-21 years old), many with serious offenses and long sentences. Reading levels range >from 4th grade on up. They are in school (some have already received their GED), and about ten are doing college courses. The plan >is to provide books for their own independent reading as well as educational materials. Does anyone have any suggestions of titles >that might go on a list of books for independent reading, a list of books, or any leads as to sources for such a list? They >already have access to some classics such as The Autobiography of Malcolm, Nelson Mandela autobiography, Piri Thomas these Mean Streets. Thanks for your help.

I received a number of replies.
These are titles which were suggested by members of the lm_net and childlit listservs. This is not a list of books that we have selected for this project: that is still in the future.

Alexie, Sherman. The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian.
Anderson, Laurie Halse. Twisted.
Barron, T.A. Lost years of Merlin series.
Bluford High series (mentioned by many people)
Bradbury, Jennifer. Shift.
Browne, Claude. Manchild in the promised land.
Buckhanon, Kalisha. Upstate.
Booth, Coe. Tyrell=20
Card, Orson Scott. Ender's game.
Clare, Cassandra. City of bones.
Choldenko, Gennifer. Al Capone does my shirts.
Crutcher, Chris. Deadline.
Davis, Sampson, et al. The Pact, The Bond, We beat the street.
Fredericks, Mariah. Head games (and other titles in the Simon Pulse =
series)
Gantos, Jack. Hole in my life; Joey Pigza swallowed the key.
Goobie, Beth. The dream where the losers go. (Also others published by =
Orca Soundings: mentioned by quite a few people: full list is here:
[us.orcabook.com])
Hinton, S.E. The outsiders.
Johnson, Angela. The first part last.
Kostick, Conor. Epic; Saga
Langen, Paul. "Bluford High" Series.
Lubar, David. Hidden talents. True talents.
Lupica, Mike. Travel team.
Mikaelsen, Ben. Touching Spirit Bear
Miller;Lachmann, Lyn. Gringolandia.
Meyer, Stephenie. Twilight series.
Myers, Walter Dean. Fallen Angels, Monster, Handbook for Boys, Slam, =
Sunset over Fallujah, Game, 145th St, Shooter, Scorpions etc.
Neri, G. Chess rumble.
Patterson, James. "Maximum Ride" series.
Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet etc.
Riordan, Rick. The lightning thief series.
Shan, Darren. Cirque du Freak series
Shusterman, Neal. Unwind.
Strasser, Todd. Give a boy a gun; You can't get there from here.
Tharp, Tim. Knights of the hill country.
Tolkien, J.R.R. The Lord of the Rings
Vizzini, Ned. Be more chill; It's kind of a funny story.
Werlin, Nancy. Rules of survival.

There is a list put together by a graduate student at
[capping.slis.ualberta.ca]
This student, Tabitha Nordby, includes a couple of wishlists from juvenile detention facilities in her bibliography.

There is also a long booklist at Powell's from Guys Lit Wire. Go to
The Guys Lit Wire site is at [guyslitwire.blogspot.com]

Many thanks to all who replied.

Sue Giffard
Ethical Culture School
New York, NY 10023
sgiffard@ecfs.org
(212)712-6292

"If we knew what it was we were doing, it would not be called research, would it?" Albert Einstein.

Guys Lit Wire Blog (no replies)

BJ Berquist — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:42:57 -0400

Found this blog on a librarians listserv. Check it out. [guyslitwire.blogspot.com]

BJ Berquist
bjb@tappedin.org

Bring the Goddess of Justice to Your Class (no replies)

Jerry Bednarowski — Thu, 14 May 2009 02:23:35 -0400

Bring the Goddess of Justice to Your Class

After hosting author Lark Telarana at a meeting of their book club at the R.E. Ellsworth Correctional Center (Wisconsin), teachers DeNeal Erickson and Margaret Done, received this letter. If you would like to contact Lark Telarana, you may email DeNeal at deneal.ericksen@wisconsin.gov or Margaret at margaret.done@wisconsin.gov .

Dear Librarians/Teachers:

Back in January, I received a heartfelt letter from DeNeal Erickson and Margaret Done, teachers at the R.E. Ellsworth Correctional Facility in Union Grove, WI. Ms. Erickson had just heard about the book I published in June of 2008 and as the moderator of the facility’s book club, she felt the book would be a good choice for the women in the club. We arranged for her to receive a free copy of the novel as well as the study guide. We later scheduled a guest appearance on March 25th, so that the women in the book club would be able to meet me in person and ask questions concerning the novel. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career, being able to hear the way my character’s experiences paralleled the lives of the inmates (as well as my own). What I found most compelling was the desire of the women to learn more about Mythology and the Humanities. Not only was I readily available for advice on how to become a writer, but I even had a few women reveal their desire to attend college after their release. These events thus led to a personal spiritual awakening.

Convinced that this type of educational program would be advantageous to the rehabilitation of inmates, I would like to extend the same invitation to other correctional facilities across the country – starting with my home state of Wisconsin! If you are teaching a course in a correctional facility, moderating a book club, or preparing for a special event to be held at a facility, I would be honored to share my story and experiences with you and your students/inmates/staff members. This is not a paid service – but a volunteer effort – as I begin my speaking/book tour. Teachers/Librarians who intend to teach/moderate an educational program may request a copy of the novel as well as a full Study Guide and a contract allowing for the use of certain items in flyers or newsletters. After reading through the synopsis and @#$%& your needs, feel free to contact me with questions, concerns, or ideas. I would consider it a pleasure to hear from you!

A former student asked me why I would consider this endeavor. I smiled as I replied, “Minerva is the goddess of wisdom, JUSTICE, and war. Thus, beginning my educational tour in the criminal justice system makes perfect sense.”
With gratitude,
Lark Telarana

About Lark Telrana’s book:
Minerva Blewett lives by the Chavezian Theory, based on the ideas of her favorite writer, Denise Chavez: “Be secure with yourself (and your curves); show confidence when dealing with men, for men will come and go.” Unfortunately, life for Minerva is not so simple. An educated professional (a high school Remedial Reading Teacher and Community College Sociology Instructor), she sometimes doesn’t relate to her African-American heritage; instead feeling more of a connection to the Latino community. Estranged from her own family, Minerva wishes to start a family of her own. Minerva regularly contemplates and dissects the broken relationship she has with her parents, and she questions her own ability to be a good mother. This seems even more farfetched because not only is she not in a relationship, but at thirty-one years old, she hasn’t accepted her own sexuality. Minerva holds on to her virginity and it becomes her sword and shield to protect herself from her fear of heartache. It also becomes the crutch she leans on when forced to confront her sexual identity. And, as if things couldn’t get any worse, Minerva has fallen in love with her best friend, Diego. His confidence and strikingly handsome features, makes him – to Minerva – the perfect Latino. There is one little setback. Diego is gay. While fighting her own feelings of cultural isolation, Minerva attempts to reach her students as she encourages discourse in her classes on controversial topics from sexuality to racism. Acting as the class facilitator and hand of justice and wisdom, Minerva must come to terms with her insecurities if she is to reach her true potential as an educator, a lover, and a friend.

About the Author
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin under a similar name (Lark Telarana is a pen name), Lark spent most of her childhood writing. Her dream was to make up a fantasy world, where interesting and powerful creatures roamed, under the nose and eye of humanity, without detection. A fascination since childhood with mythology and folklore, Lark began to explore all of the ancient myths. She grew to love them all and displays her adoration in her novels as she weaves in symbolism from various myths within her character of Minerva. “She and I are a lot alike. We are both passionate. We both love what we do. And, when we fall for someone or something, we fall hard. Our love is fierce.”

An educator who respects Anne Rice ("She's a historian as well as a writer"), Tananarive Due, and Daniel Quinn, Ms. Telarana (pronounced TEL-EH-RON-YAH) is a Wisconsin certified educator. She is currently preparing to open a career technical high school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (September 2009) and she is happily writing while continuing her work in education until called to some other honorable duty.

Survey ends March 31!! Library & literacy services in / to California juvenile corrections facilities: survey says...? (no replies)

sminobe — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 00:22:59 -0400

Dear Corrections Library Professionals:

It’s me again, with a FINAL REMINDER about the survey I’m conducting for my master’s thesis at UCLA in the Department of Information Studies. Many heartfelt thanks to those who have taken the survey! However, I could still use more responses (100% would be nice!) & some responses were incomplete. 8-(

I wish to determine the state of library and literacy services and programs in juvenile correctional facilities in California, especially given the current economic crisis! So, if you work in, or provide services to a state, county or private juvenile correctional facility in California (**including camps/ranches – this may not have been clear in my earlier postings!**), I would be most grateful if you would complete this short survey (about 10-15 minutes):
[www.surveymonkey.com]

Even if there is no library or literacy services at your site, please complete as much of the survey as you can – there are Comments fields where you can provide information as to why there are no library or literacy services, or if there were in the past, or if you’d like such services, etc.

This survey will close March 31, so please get your responses in soon – & please nudge anyone else you know who works with incarcerated youth!

Confidentiality will be strictly maintained -- no personal identifying information will be used in this study. If you have any questions or concerns about this survey, you may contact me, Susan Minobe, at sminobe@ucla.edu or my faculty advisor, Virginia Walter, at walter@gseis.ucla.edu.

Many, many apologies yet again for cross-posting & duplication, but thank you very much for your time and participation!

Susan L. Minobe, MLIS 2009/10
Graduate School of Education and Information Studies
University of California at Los Angeles

President's Council Report, March, 2009 (no replies)

murrayellison — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:31:47 -0400

see attached

Targeting Librarians! e-Booktalks This Week at Tapped In (March 15-21) (no replies)

BJ Berquist — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 10:00:18 -0400

Professional Development for Educators:
This Week at Tapped In (March 15-21)

SUNDAY
* Webheads in Action - TESOL/ESL/EFL/ELL community discussion for language teachers.

MONDAY
* BirdSleuth Open House! Interested in inquiry projects through Birds and Citizen Science. . . but, need some support? BirdSleuth staff, joined by experienced BirdSleuth teachers, are here to help. Learn how this group can help you with your math and science classroom projects!

TUESDAY
* SPECIAL!!! Math Transformers: Chat with special guest and award winning storyteller and author Dianne de las Casas, author of Tangram Tales. Dianne will show you how to use storytelling in your math class and across the curriculum. Don't miss this great opportunity to meet Dianne! [www.storyconnection.net]

* Learning from Lyrics - In this media literacy curriculum Johnathan Chase involves the use of popular song lyrics as an interdisciplinary instructional strategy to engage, motivate and inspire students, grades 5-12.

WEDNESDAY
* Targeting Librarians! e-Booktalks - Join Lesley Farmer in the Cybrarians Group Room where the March topic is e-Booktalks..

* K-12 Language Arts - Karen Lemmons leads this monthly discussion. Karen will present resources for Women's History Month.

THURSDAY
* ePortfolios - Lynne Wolters leads this discussion on using ePortfolios for authentic assessment and beyond. Bring your questions, suggestions, strategies to share and inspire. Lynne looks forward to reconnecting with each of you.

* Web 2.0 Tools - Come to this interactive session led by Lynne Wolters, to play with free Web 2.0 tools you can use in your classrooms and your life the very next day!

SATURDAY
* Religious Educators discussion with John Greenamyre

* Collaboration Community - Jeff Cooper leads this discussion about ideas that foster collaboration and support between teachers, students and parents.

* K-12 Campus Tour and Classroom Support - Learn more about the safe and secure K-12 Student Campus and how you can create your own K-12 Student Classroom during this tour with Jeff Cooper.

* TIPS AND TRICKS sessions are offered throughout the week to help both new and experienced Tapped In users get the most from the interface!
**********************
If you don't see an event that interests you, or have a suggestion for future discussions, send us an email and let us know! Comments are always appreciated!
**********************
View the Tapped In calendar of ASO events at:
[tappedin.org] By clicking on the calendar event, you can read the complete description of that event. Please note that occasionally an event description will have information to be read or instructions to be followed prior to the discussion. You can set the calendar to your time zone to see events in your times.

RSS Feed for Tapped In calendar:
[tappedin.org]
**********************************************************
Respectfully submitted,
BJ Berquist
Associate Educator, TAPPED IN
bjb@tappedin.org

Library & literacy services in / to California juvenile corrections facilities: survey says...? (1 reply)

sminobe — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:07:01 -0400

Dear Education & Corrections Professionals:
I am conducting a research project in the course of completing my master’s thesis at UCLA in the Department of Information Studies. I wish to determine the state of library and literacy services and programs in juvenile correctional facilities in California. No nationwide survey has been done in nearly 30 years, since the “Survey of library service in local correctional facilities” in 1980, & state & local studies are equally sparse.

If you work in, or provide services to a state, county or private juvenile correctional facility in California, I would be most grateful if you would complete this short survey (about 10-15 minutes):

[www.surveymonkey.com]

Additionally, if you know a particular individual, or know of a relevant listserv or discussion forum where people have relevant knowledge for my survey, I would appreciate it if you would please forward this link.

Confidentiality will be strictly maintained -- no personal identifying information will be used in this study. If you have any questions or concerns about this survey, you may contact me, Susan Minobe, at sminobe@ucla.edu or my faculty advisor, Virginia Walter, at walter@gseis.ucla.edu.

Many, many apologies for cross-posting & duplication, but thank you very much for your time and participation!

Susan L. Minobe, MLIS 2009/10
Graduate School of Education and Information Studies
University of California at Los Angeles

Internet Training (2 replies)

Maureen Steffen — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 09:26:31 -0400

Several years ago, I attended a conference workshop that introduced an internet training for inmates. It was a CD program that showed students sample web sites, how to navigate, etc., without giving them internet access. Does anyone know where to find such a program? Thanks for the help!

Elise Leonard speaking on “low-level readers” - FL State JJEEP conference 7-30-08 in Tampa (no replies)

Elise Leonard — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:45:53 -0400

On Wednesday, 7-30-08, from 3pm through 4:30pm, I’ll be presenting my books and materials for low-level readers at the 2008 JJEI and Southern Conference on Corrections. July 29-31 • Marriott Tampa Waterside.

Apparently, my books are used quite successfully in the Florida State corrections system (for both juveniles and adults), and I was asked to present at this conference. My session’s title is “Easy to Read High-Interest Books and Materials for Low Level Readers.” (This title was chosen by the team of folks who called to ask me to present, and although the session title is quite self-explanatory, many people who are familiar with my books, materials and presentations say this title lacks the usual flair my self-chosen session titles usually offer.)

For conference agenda, please go here: [www.criminologycenter.fsu.edu]

I hope to see (and meet) some CEA members at my presentation. Please stop by to say hi.

~Elise

I read (with interest) the "Libraries" forum post: Something to Read in County Jails (no replies)

Elise Leonard — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 10:49:38 -0400

The “Libraries” forum post from Feb. 2008 brought up something very near and dear to me--the fact that our literacy rate in this country is plummeting. This is not just a concern for those in the correctional education field, but should be a concern for all educators and, actually, all citizens.

There are very few books out there—cool, interesting fiction books—for this target readership. Readers reading far below grade (or age) level have little or nothing available to them to read to help build their reading skills! There’s a little non-fiction, lots of expensive programs to attempt to teach reading, but until recently, there was nothing out there for cool, fun reading that was within reach of our emergent, struggling and ESL older adolescent and adult readers.

But now, there is!

If you’d like to explore books written for adults, about adults with adult characters that are not babyish, boring or condescending, but are written on a Flesch-Kincaid reading level of 0.9 to 1.4 (below a Lexile 200) for ease of use and to help build self-confidence and fluency, please visit my Website at www.eliseleonard.com.

I write for Simon & Schuster, Harlequin, Nox Press, as well as other publishing houses, and am now focused primarily on fiction for struggling, emergent and ESL readers. [Some of my books have been chosen as American Library Association (ALA) Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers.]

If you want to get your emergent and struggling readers interested in reading, please consider offering them the Junkyard Dan series, which was designed specifically for adult readers and is based on the requests and approval and responses of this target population.

Let’s get our nation reading! Let’s give ALL people a better life through literacy.

~Elise Leonard
www.eliseleonard.com
elise.leonard@gmail.com

rebinding textbooks for juvenile hall (no replies)

BJ Berquist — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:11:59 -0400

Does anyone out there have a source for a bindery that will rebind hard
cover textbooks into smaller, soft cover sections for use in juvenile
hall? The students there are not allowed to have hard cover books, and
the bindery I contacted will only rebind them if we provide the soft
covers (?). Help? Thanks.

This was posted on another list for librarians. If I get any responses, I will forward to the person who posted the original request.

Iowa teacher named learning-disabilities educator of the year (no replies)

BJ Berquist — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:47:04 -0400

Iowa teacher named learning-disabilities educator of the year
Vicki Goshon, whose own daughter overcame learning disabilities, firmly believes her students can do the same: It's her job to find teaching methods that enable them to overcome their disabilities. In addition to helping her own students, Goshon helps prisoners with learning disabilities to improve their reading skills. Waterloo Courier (Iowa)

[www.wcfcourier.com]

Forwarded from CEC SmartBrief
by BJ Berquist
bjb@tappedin.org

Congratulations, Glennor! PRESS RELEASE- 2008 Partridge Award Recipient Announced (no replies)

BJ Berquist — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:56:37 -0400

Just sharing the information below with my CEA friends. If any of you are in the vicinity and can attend the ceremony it would be great to see you.

Glennor [prisonlibrarian.blogspot.com]
[glenorloy.blogspot.com]
Library Coordinator
Maryland State Department of Education
Correctional Education Libraries
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Tel. 410 767 0493; Fax. 410 333 2239
email: gshirley@msde.state.md.us
[ce.msde.state.md.us]

Subject: Fw: FW: PRESS RELEASE- 2008 Partridge Award Recipient Announced

2008 Partridge Award Recipient Announced

College Park , MD (March 3, 2008) ? Maryland ?s iSchool and the Citizens for Maryland Libraries announced the recipient of the 2008 Partridge Award, Glennor Shirley. Since December 2000, Ms. Shirley has served as Librarian at the Maryland Penitentiary. She is also a Library Coordinator at the Maryland State Department of Education, responsible for all the state prison libraries. Ms. Shirley received her MLS from the University of Maryland .

The award ceremony will be held on March 27th 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., in MKeldin Library on the campus of the University of Maryland .

Her involvement in Maryland Library Association extends back eight years, where she was on the task force for Maryland Library Leadership, and was chair of the Task Force for the 2004 Leadership Institute. She was also a mentor for the 2007 Leadership Institute. She serves as the Commissioner for the State Library Resource Center , representing special and government libraries.

The James Partridge Award for Outstanding African American Information Professional is presented annually by the College of Information Studies and Citizens for Maryland Libraries. Mr. James Partridge was the first recipient of this distinguished Award in 1998 and died shortly thereafter. The Award was later named in his honor and memory. James Partridge had a long career in the information profession, and he epitomized qualities of excellence in service to Maryland ?s Division of Library Development and Services and the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. The Partridge Award is the College?s way of acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of African Americans in the information profession.

The guest speaker for the event will be Dr. Carla D. Hayden, the Executive Director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, in Baltimore , Maryland . Prior to coming to Baltimore , Dr. Hayden was the First Deputy Commissioner and Chief Librarian of the Chicago Public Library, an Assistant Professor in the School of Library and Information Science of the University of Pittsburgh , and Library Services Coordinator at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago . A graduate of Roosevelt University , Dr. Hayden earned her MA and Ph.D. degrees from the Graduate Library School of the University of Chicago .

About Maryland ?s iSchool

The College of Information Studies , Maryland 's iSchool, empowers people, organizations and society to use information effectively through its research and undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. Maryland 's iSchool enables students and faculty to create new ways for people to connect with information that will transform society and is ideally located in the information capital of the world- the Washington DC metro region. The iSchool is transforming itself as well, from a small college with a strong foundation in library and information studies programs to a fast-growing and groundbreaking center of expertise that will help people manage the information explosion from childhood to adulthood.

For more information on Maryland 's iSchool, visit www.clis.umd.edu

ALA Confeence from G. Shiley (no replies)

murrayellison — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 08:52:19 -0500

Contact: Stephanie Kuenn
Communications Specialist
(312) 280-2128
skuenn@ala.org

For Immediate Release,
February 26, 2008

YALSA diversity campaign launches with stipend for Annual
CHICAGO -As part of YALSA Unity: A Diversity Initiative, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), will offer two YALSA members with a diverse background a stipend to attend the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif., June 26-July 2.

Each sponsorship recipient will receive up to $1,000 for conference expenses. The deadline for application is March 31. Winners will be notified on May 2. This stipend is administered by YALSA through funding from ALA's Ahead to 2010 initiative.

Applicants must be YALSA members of a diverse background by the time of the application. Diversity is defined by the ALA Diversity Counts report, which includes race, ethnicity, language background, sexual orientation, education, age, disability and economic status. For applications, criteria, and more information, visit www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/stipend.cfm.

For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos, and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists, or contact the YALSA office by phone, (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390; or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
50 E. Huron Chicago, IL 60611 Call Us Toll Free 1-800-545-2433

©2007 American Library Association. Copyright Statement
View our Privacy Policy. For questions or comments about the Web site, complete the Feedback Form.
FAQ Member and Customer Service Events Calendar

YALSA (no replies)

BJ Berquist — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:52:04 -0500

Last week a librarian working in a juvenile facility requested some
sources from CEA for multicultural grants. I replied pointing YALSA
(Young Adult Library Services @#$%&). YALSA's web site has a diversity
grant:

[www.ala.org]

Glennor Shirley
Library Coordinator
Maryland State Department of Education
Correctional Education Libraries
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Tel. 410 767 0493
Fax. 410 333 2239
email: gshirley@msde.state.md.us
[ce.msde.state.md.us]

Library Resources & Materials Request (1 reply)

murrayellison — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:02:38 -0400

While there is no guarantee of the quality of materials you may receive, there are a few organizations that you may want to contact.

The Youth Section YALSA, of the American Library Association received a large grant last year for library services to AT risk youth. I know they were looking for applicants, because up to last week they did not have enough applicants. Check their website and call them right away. [www.ala.org]

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL www.rif.org is an organization that works with groups on family literacy. You could contact them and apply for a grant. The good thing about them is they allow the children to keep the books.

There is an organization called Books behind bars [www.prisonpenpals.net] You could get on their list.

Another web site that deals with juveniles behind bars. [www.nea.org]

At another level, you may want to contact your state library. They usually award special grants using LSTA funds. You could get information about them from any of the local library in your area.

Hope this helps.

Glennor Shirley [prisonlibrarian.blogspot.com]

Library Coordinator
Maryland State Department of Education
Correctional Education Libraries
200 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Tel. 410 767 0493
Fax. 410 333 2239
email: gshirley@msde.state.md.us
[ce.msde.state.md.us]

-----Original Message-----
From: cea-sig-chairs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:cea-sig-chairs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Heather Comstock
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 7:17 AM
To: cea-sig-chairs@lists.ibiblio.org; cea-chapter-presidents@lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: FW: Request for Juvenile Materials

Hi all,

I am forwarding this request the office received. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Heather Comstock
Assistant Director
800-783-1232 xt 12
443-459-3082 (direct)
email: hcomstock@ceanational.org
Correctional Education Association
"Transforming Lives"
www.ceanational.org
8182 Lark Brown Road
Suite 202
Elkridge, MD 21075
Fax: 443-459-3088

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Darcher, Janet (DSHS/JRA) [mailto:DarchJE@dshs.wa.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 2:49 PM
To: Heather Comstock
Subject:

Dear Ms. Comstock, I am seeking donation for a diversity library. We are a small institution for juvenile offenders in Southwest Washington State and our budget for resources is small. Materials would be used by both residents and staff to increase awareness and understanding of the cultural diversity that exists in America and challenges posed by competing philosophies.

Janet Darcher-Program Manager

Naselle Youth Camp

11 Youth Camp Lane

Naselle, Washington 98638

360.484.3223 ex 0

darchje@dshs.wa.gov

Something to Read in County Jails (no replies)

Jerry Bednarowski — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:29:45 -0500

Something to Read in County Jails

County jail administration generally does not have a line item designated for “Inmate Library” when they go before their local County Board for approval of their proposed annual budget. Coordinating and maintaining an inmate library is not usually part of any individual’s job description. If a county is fortunate enough to have educational programming for its inmates, then it is often the adult literacy educator, technical college instructor, or similar civilian in the facility who hears the inmates’ criticism of “There’s nothing to read!” and takes it on as a personal/professional charge to action. In the case of Sheboygan County (Wisconsin), Instructor Sharon Abel along with Officer Roy Kluss arranged to meet David Weinhold of Eastern Shores Library System and Sue Mathews of the Mead Public Library. Concerns and ideas were shared and a partnership was born in 1998. Eastern Shores Library System agreed to be the fiscal agent for any funds awarded as a result of grant requests written by Sharon Abel on behalf of the inmates.

Coordinating and maintaining the Sheboygan County Inmate Library continues to be a volunteer team effort and not part of any individual’s job description. Why invest the time and energy? The answer is found within the following two inmate-written letters originally published in the August 2007 issue of The Library Connection: The Monthly Newsletter of the Eastern Shores Library System available at www.esls.lib.wi.us.

I was unsure what I was getting into when Sharon Abel [full-time Lakeshore Technical College Instructor] called me for school. I have tried getting my GED a few times before but never completed the programs. There was no help in those programs. I lost interest and just gave up. I didn’t know what to expect when I started the LTC Adult Education Program. Hearing there are instructors to help with problems and answer any questions that you may have sparked my interest. The first class I attended answered all my questions. The instructors were friendly and very helpful. I wanted to attend every class that I could.

I am fifty years young and never read a book cover to cover. With this program and the help from the instructors, I have read thirty-two books not including the GED education books and have passed three of the GED tests. I have confidence I will finish the GED tests and continue on to college.

This program and help from Sharon, Kelly [part-time LTC Instructional Assistant], and Pat [Literacy Volunteer Tutor] “the instructors” are the best thing that has happened to me. I can’t say enough about Sharon, Kelly, and Pat. Their teaching abilities, knowledge, and motivation is the reason I want to continue with the program. I hope there are more instructors like them! “My heartfelt thank you” to Sharon, Kelly, and Pat for helping me in this program and for putting up with me. I also want to thank Lakeshore Technical College and all the people that are involved in making this program possible. I hope it continues helping others like it has helped me.

Sincerely,
Kenneth, “A Satisfied Student”

Kenneth keeps two lists of books, one with titles he has read and one with those he wants to read in the future. Both lists are growing. He has successfully passed another GED test and continues to diligently prepare for his last test.

Though it is uncomfortable for me to say, because of my lack of control when it comes to alcohol, I have spent the better part of the last two years in this facility… I was asked what I thought of the importance of books [in jail]…

“Reading brings wisdom, wisdom breeds less criminal activity.” People learn to read and write behind these walls, they earn an education and some even get GED’s. Reading brings out knowledge and dreams of having a life aside of being involved in crime. I will tell you myself after seeing so many men come and go, it is the ones that sit around playing cards and talking about crime that always come back. It is the guys that are reading that get inspired to lead a better life. Through these books we see the pleasure and the love that can be ours. And, yes, all of that can come from one simple book. Books can really change people. They have surely promised me a better life away from the evils of alcohol.

Let me just finish by asking if you have ever seen a child’s face light up when you handed them a book or read them an inspiring story. Most of the men behind these walls are nothing more than kids still looking for that kind of love from someone.

Thank you.
David

Within a few weeks following his writing the above letter, David highly recommended the following books for inmates and non-inmates alike:

• Reading Changed My Life: Three True Stories authored by Beth Johnson and published Townsend Press 2003
• Prisoners of Belief: Exposing & Changing Beliefs that Control Your Life authored by Matthew McKay, PhD & Patrick Fanning and published by New Harbinger Publications 1991

The first book was most likely a donation and the second was purchased for twenty-five cents at the Friends of the Mead Public Library book sale. Monies are fast depleting; thus, free or almost free materials are very much appreciated. Book donations are received from various individuals and agencies; recently a couple of individuals volunteered to coordinate gently used book drives at their respective churches for Sheboygan County’s Inmate Library which serves a diverse population of adult and juvenile, male and female inmates.

Because Sheboygan County Inmate Library’s original funding source no longer offers competitive grants, a new option is needed. Any ideas regarding a viable funding source for the Inmate Library (a volunteer, multi-agency/individual/community effort) would certainly be appreciated. Please send ideas to Sharon at sharon.abel@gotoltc.edu.

Library Blog from Glennor Shirley (excerpt) (1 reply)

murrayellison — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:53:15 -0500

Please check the new Correctional Library Blog from Glennor Shirley:
Approx. 14,000 inmates are released from state prisons each year. We try to prepare them for successful reentry.

Posted by Peggy at 7:08 PM 0 comments

Thursday, December 13, 2007
Prisoners going home :
In maximum security correctional facilities, prisoners are interested in legal materials because they want to get back to the courts to get sentence reduction. As they advance to lesser security, they desire information to get them transition back into the community.

They want information on relationship, career, housing, social services, getting back with their family, getting their GED, etc. Many experience difficulty when they get out. [www.usnews.com]

I am very proud of our recent acquisition in Maryland Correctional Education libraries. - a bookmobile that will have computers to teach Internet skills, and have books on the trades as well as the information to help the inmate. I will be working collaboratively with the transition coordinator, who will ensure that an instructor comes on board to teach employability skills. This bookmobile will go to the pre lease centers and the inmates who are within 6 months of returning to the community, will have priority.

Our inmates do not have direct access to the Internet, but librarians do have access. We have developed a web site with reentry information: [ce.msde.state.md.us]

Posted by Peggy at 5:54 AM 0 comments

Thursday, December 6, 2007
legal training up snow mountain
Majority of our inmates do not know how to use our legal databases, therefore I arrange legal database training programs. Yesterday's training was for a site 70 miles away. The weather forecast predicted up to 3 inches of snow, so this tropical bird, who 3 days ago was basking in the Jamaican sunshine, flirted with cancelling the program.

I remembered, however, a past comment from a prisoner , "We ain't going nowwhere when it snows, Ms Shirley, we still here", so I drove slowly up the mountains. In the library, 58 inmates sat patiently awaiting our arrival.

While the trainer conducted the program an inmate approached me smiling. " I remember you from way back", he said. "When you were at the Pen (the penitentiary) you used to talk to me and give me advise. I really appreciate that because now I have my GED."

Another inmate asked who I was and my contact information. I referred him to the on site librarian because I am now wise to the list of instant solutions they expect from headquarters. I listened to and noted some of their suggestions.

I kept an eye on the trainer to intervene since inmates often ask for answers to their personal situation. We constantly have to remind inmates that we are trainers, not lawyers, referring them to the appropriate staff.

By the time the session ended the snow had covered the ground. Inmates gathered around the trainer for more questions. Laughing, they said goodbye when I warned that if they wanted a future session, they had better allow me to drive down snow mountain.
Check our web site for a list of our required reference [ce.msde.state.md.us]

Posted by Peggy at 6:48 PM 0 comments

Monday, October 8, 2007

Educational Media and Technology Yearbook Call for Authors (no replies)

BJ Berquist — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:16:38 -0500

This year's book (BJ Berquist has a chapter in this year's book) looks like a good one and I look forward to an equally exciting volume next year. If you would like more information contact BJ. She was not able to attach the info to this post.

V. J. McClendon, M.A., MLIS, ABD
vjmcclen@uga.edu or vjmcclen@gmail.com
Editor, Educational Media and Technology Yearbook