NCJ Number
64930
Date Published
1976
Length
26 pages
Annotation
LIBRARY STANDARDS FOR ADULT CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS DELINEATE ELEMENTS WHICH ARE NECESSARY FOR THE PROVISION OF LIBRARY SERVICES IN SUCH INSTITUTIONS.
Abstract
THESE STANDARDS WERE PREPARED BY THE AMERICAN CORRECTIONAL ASSOCIATION'S COMMITTEE ON INSTITUTION LIBRARIES AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE 50 STATE LIBRARY AGENCIES AND OTHER GROUPS. SEVERAL ASSUMPTIONS WERE MADE REGARDING THE PROVISION OF LIBRARY SERVICE: LIBRARIANS SHARE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE HABILITATION OF ALL ADULT OFFENDERS, LIBRARY SERVICE AVAILABLE TO ADULT OFFENDERS SHOULD BE EQUIVALENT TO THAT FOUND IN COMMUNITIES, AND LIBRARY SERVICE RECOGNIZES THE SPECIFIC NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF ALL ADULT OFFENDERS. STANDARDS REFER TO THE ORGANIZATION OF LIBRARIES IN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS, LIBRARY PHILOSOPHY, MATERIALS, LIBRARY SERVICES, LIBRARY FACILITIES, BUDGET, AND STAFF. NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS FOR LIBRARIANS, ASSISTANT LIBRARIANS, LIBRARY TECHNICIANS, AND LIBRARY CLERKS ARE NOTED. QUANTITIES OF LIBRARY MATERIALS THAT SHOULD BE PROVIDED BASED ON A RESIDENT POPULATION OF 300 ARE OUTLINED. THESE MATERIALS SHOULD INCLUDE NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE WORKS AT A LEVEL IN PROPORTION TO THE AVERAGE NON-ENGLISH READING/SPEAKING INMATE POPULATION, AS WELL AS MATERIALS THAT FOSTER LITERACY IMPROVEMENT. LIBRARIES SHOULD ALSO PROVIDE ACCESS TO PERTINENT LEGAL REFERENCE SERVICES NOT AS EASILY ACCESSIBLE FOR THE INMATE AS FOR THE AFFLUENT CITIZEN ON THE OUTSIDE. FOR LIBRARY STANDARDS IN JAILS AND DETENTION CENTERS, SEE NCJ 64931. (WJR)