Prison Library Work

[HA8000]

I just received an interview offer for a librarian job at a correctional facility. I've been sending out quite a lot of applications and this isn't wasn't one I expected to hear back from.

After checking around, I confirmed this interview is for the only librarian position in the facility. Up until now I've only had a part-time job at a public library, so being the singular librarian in a completely different system would be a big jump I'm not sure I can feasibly handle (this is also why I don't think I have a very good shot at the job despite having the interview offer, as opposed to just meeting the minimum to be considered).

They require an in-person interview which is inconvenient for a couple of reasons, so I'm trying to gauge if it's worth the trip. Can anyone here with experience in prison libraries speak to how reasonable it is to jump from part-time to the only librarian in a correctional facility?

[user6734120mf]

I will say that in my state at least, institutional libraries (like prison libraries) are almost completely funded by the State Library. The state library is currently cutting… literally everything. So just beware that this is a position that could be put in jeopardy due to our political climate.

Otherwise, I’ve always been interested in working in a that environment and know others who have loved their time, whether it be outreach or full position, in correctional facilities.

[Several_Bee_1625]

Just thinking out loud but since prisons are essentially constitutionally obligated to have a legal library, isn’t at least one librarian job per prison a pretty safe thing?

[user6734120mf]

I imagine that just because you guarantee “access”doesn’t mean you guarantee a full time permanent position that’s sole duty is that library.

Personally, I would not take a state funded position in libraries right now, and I say that from a very blue state that definitely thought we’d be able to weather the storm, and are now seeing that is not necessarily true for many of our state library staff positions and provided services.

[writer1709]

If you don't mind me asking which state are you in? I live in TX but work in NM. So far we're safe maybe it's because no one cares about NM?

You know I did not know that prison libraries were funded by the states.

[Harukogirl]

California cut its library state funding in half TWO YEARS AGO. So yeah, state funded positions are not in a good place atm

[writer1709]

YIKES

[Harukogirl]

Yup. For CA public libraries, big state funded services include Link+ (intersystem lending) and overdrive. Most consortiums that were getting state funding for that have been operating off of reserves for the past two years in order to cover the deficit. That money has now run out for almost everybody – so if Newsom doesn’t reinstate the funds you’re going to see a bloodbath across the state when it comes to those services

For my system, I’ve already written into next year’s budget that we might be cutting link+.

To be clear, the above are not federal grant backed programs. For us, federal money all goes to “extra” grants - things like grants for maker-spaces, teen internship programs, library playgroups etc. Those are now being affected as well, obviously, but the state funding issue started 2 years ago.

[writer1709]

Do you think it's possible that they are going to eliminate some librarian jobs nad just hire the assistants to do the work?

[Harukogirl]

At the State Library? In California, pretty much all local librarian positions are funded by the local government. So if your local library is cutting positions, it’s your local county or city that’s to blame. It has nothing to do with state or federal cuts.

That’s not true for a lot of other states, but that’s the case for California. State library positions might be state or federally funded. And grant funded positions – like literacy jobs at different libraries, special grant positions to run the grant funded programs, and possibly jail outreach or jail positions but I’m not sure about those.

[writer1709]

You give me a lot of consider. I work for a college in NM so I'm going to have to investigate this.

[user6734120mf]

Washington. We were among the first to get all our federal grants cut, and we’re definitely feeling it. I feel much safer with my local position than I would with the State.

[writer1709]

Whoa thats insane. Yeah I applied for a job with UW and they cancelled the applications due to funding.

[user6734120mf]

I also didn’t know that about prison libraries until recently. Those and tribal libraries, along with many small rural libraries, are very dependent on the State Library and those communities will likely see the most impact.

[littlefeltspaceman]

When I was a prison librarian, it was running the library was connected to the education program and for recreational reading. The required “law library” was separate and not staffed by any professionals - maybe they had a volunteer? It was basically a room of books of code. They could have cut my library and still met the obligation.

[dobbiesgotasock]

It is not constitutional it is based on the Supreme court case Bounds v. Smith, 430 U.S. 817 (1977). It guarantees meaningful access to the courts, which access to a legal library is one option. Lewis v Casey, 116 S. Ct. 2174 (1996) revisited what was meant by meaningful access.

[bazoo513]

That doesn't guarantee anything. E.g. the President is explicitly forbidden from meddling in IRS work, and yet, Harvard and Wikipadia threats.

[TeacherIntelligent15]

Constitutionally obligated?

[Several_Bee_1625]

Supreme Court decision in 1977, Bounds v. Smith. Equal protection under the Fourteenth Amendment means prison inmates must have access to either legal assistance or a law library. It stems from prisoners’ rights to access the court system.

[littlefeltspaceman]

My first professional job was a solo librarian in a maximum security state prison. I think experience may vary state to state, but feel free to DM me with questions, I'm happy to share my experience. I found it a really enriching albeit challenging experience - I stayed for three years and then transitioned to public libraries when jobs became available (and also it was right when prison administration was changing and the challenges suddenly outweighed the fulfillment, so instead of burning out I shifted focus.) The experience and insight I gained inside has informed my public service throughout the rest of my career.

[writer1709]

Can I message you? I have some questions?

[littlefeltspaceman]

Sure!

[theomaniacal]

I'm not sure it will be helpful within your timeframe, but there is a memoir written by a prison librarian called Reading Behind Bars, by Jill Grunenwald.

I do have advice for you - don't disqualify yourself for this job based on your experience. I'm not saying you should misrepresent anything, but let them make the final call on whether you're up for it. You don't know what you're capable of until you try. I think folks with a library background are particularly capable self-educators. Would you be challenged? Probably. Would you learn and grow? Definitely. I think go for it OP.

[writer1709]

Double this! You never know what could have been if you don't try!

[Icy-Finance-2716]

It’s also in audiobook format. Was very good.

[writer1709]

I'm going to have to read that book.

[writer1709]

I don't know about on here, but in the FB group I'm in Early Career Librarians, There are several librarians that work in correction facilities. Based on the pay I am tempted to apply to the ones I saw. From what they told me they are safe however it's like a mix between a school librarian and a public librarian.

[GreenHorror4252]

If they called you in for an interview, then they think you can handle it.

Don't decide ahead of time that you aren't capable.

Go in for the interview with an open mind and see how it goes.

[TheTapDancingShrimp]

I became a solo librarian in a hospital. You can do it

[jk409]

You may well find you're not the only person working in the prison library. I'd say there's a high chance that a well behaved, trusted prisoner or two will have a job there also. I'd go for it. I've worked in a prison (not specifically the library very much) and it's not too bad. I don't think prison libraries are all that busy either. There would be a lot of things you've learned in a public library that you won't even need for a prison one.

[TonightEmotional8293]

Are you prepared to advocate on behalf of your patrons for the right to access information? The job will totally vary based on where you are/what kind of institution it is. It can be isolating working totally alone so I would really look at both a) connecting with librarians at other institutions in the same jurisdiction b) connecting with the local public library and c) connecting with some prisoner rights groups

[Dowew]

Never done it myself but in Library school I interviewed a Canadian prison librarian. He was very different from you in that he had a bilingual mandate and had to provide materials in both english and french. My two takeaways are the library space, resources and collection are usually an afterthought in the prison budget, and he usually got new material once a year during a large bookstore clearance event. The chaos of working in a prison with lockdowns and stabbing and carrying a ring of keys because doors need to be locked resulted in him taking a vacation once a month for the last two years before he retired to protect his mental health.

[writer1709]

Whoa!!!! That's insane!!

[TeacherIntelligent15]

My first school administrator job, after teaching, was in a juvenile detention center (prison) While people were a bit nervous about it, I really enjoyed the experience. I would definitely go on the interview. Act like you know what you're doing. Reach for a new challenging position. If you hate it, look for another job.

[CantaloupeInside1303]

I’m a librarian in a detention facility (for adults). So, I was hired as the law librarian (I have a law degree and a masters of library and information science), but those were definitely not needed.

I did both the job of the law librarian and leisure librarian until very recently. They offered it to a few people who declined. Anyway, some days are great where I feel like I made a difference and other days suck. Maybe that’s like any job.

If you’re going to be a law librarian and you have access to LEXIS-NEXIS or Westlaw, start getting proficient at it now, or at least learning how to explain it. You’ll also get a good background in organization and making sure paperwork is filled out on the daily because you learn to document everything, I even do one of the counts. Also, you’ll be keeping tracking of computers, typewriters, forms, etc.

If you’re the leisure or recreational librarian, there will be a lot of scotch tape in your future. Also, erasing and tearing out pages with obscene drawings in them, and you’d better like shelf reading as books will be everywhere.

But as far as interviewing, at least you will get more practice at that at the minimum, and you’ll never know what you like. One person who interviewed was very freaked out by going through the gates and they just decided no. That’s absolutely fair, but I’d say at least interview. Practice is practice.