NCJ Number
15512
Date Published
1973
Length
130 pages
Annotation
A DISCUSSION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INMATE LIBRARY WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION GIVEN TO THE SELECTION PROCEDURES THAT WERE USED TO ASSURE INMATE USE AND APPROBATION AT THE MILAN FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION IN MICHIGAN.
Abstract
THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE LIBRARY, INMATE INVOLVEMENT, INMATE NEEDS AND CHARACTERISTICS, THE PRISON ADMINISTRATION ARE ALL DISCUSSED AS THEY RELATE TO THE DYNAMICS OF THIS UNORTHODOX LIBRARY. THE POPULARITY OF A PARTICULAR BOOK WAS GUAGED BY THE NUMBER OF TIMES IT WAS 'BORROWED' (HERE, A EUPHEMISM FOR STOLEN) AND THE NUMBER OF TIMES IT WAS LEGITIMATELY CHECKED OUT. PARTICULAR, EMPHASIS HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THE NEEDS OF THE INMATES AS THEY FIND EXPRESSION IN THE PROCEDURE DESIGNED FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE MILAN LIBRARY, FACILITATED THE SELECTION OF BOOKS WHICH REFLECTED LITERARY INTERESTS AND RESPONDED TO BASIC INTELLECTUAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL NEEDS. A LIST OF TITLES ARE APPENDED WHICH THE AUTHOR DEEMS ESSENTIAL FOR A PRISON LIBRARY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)