NCJ Number
66193
Journal
BOOKMARK Volume: 38 Issue: 2 Dated: SPECIAL EDITION (WINTER 1979) Pages: 55-58
Date Published
1979
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE LIBRARY SERVIES AND MATERIALS PROVIDED TO ADULT AND JUVENILE INMATES BY THE NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY, OFFICE OF SPECIAL SERVICES, SINCE 1973.
Abstract
THE LIBRARY PROVIDES SERVICES TO 11 CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN MANHATTAN, THE BRONX, STATEN ISLAND, AND RIKERS ISLAND. THE COMBINED POPULATION OF ALL THE FACILITIES SERVED BY THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY IS 6,000 INMATES, RANGING IN AGE FROM 10-YEAR OLDS TO ADULTS. A NEW YORK STATE INSTITUTIONAL LIBRARY SERVICES GRANT PROVIDES THE FUNDING, WHICH ALLOWS AN EXPENDITURE OF ABOUT $3.00 PER INMATE, FAR SHORT OF THE ACCEPTED STANDARD. DESPITE THE FINANCIAL LIMITATION, THE LIBRARY TRIES TO PROVIDE THREE KINDS OF SERVICE TO THE INMATE POPULATION: (1) IT HELPS THE VARIOUS INSTITUTIONAL LIBRARIES SELECT AND PURCHASE MATERIAL, (2) IT ASSISTS INMATES BY FILLING SPECIAL REQUESTS, AND (3) IT PROVIDES FILM PROGRAMS. THE PRIMARY TASK, HOWEVER, IS TO HELP SELECT BOOKS FOR THE PRISON LIBRARIES. INMATE PARTICIPATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS IS ENCOURAGED. PROBLEMS OF CENSORSHIP FROM CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS ARE FEW AND USUALLY UNOFFICIAL, RATHER THAN FORMAL DEMANDS. SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE ENCOURAGING INMATES TO USE THEIR PRISON LIBRARIES AND FINDING OUT ABOUT FOREIGN LANGUAGE FOR THOSE INMATES WHO DO NOT READ ENGLISH BUT ARE LITERATE IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE AND OBTAINING MATERIAL FOR THEM. THE FILM PROGRAMS ARE USED TO ENTICE INMATES INTO THE LIBRARY. THE MOST SUCCESSFUL FILM PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN THOSE AT THE ADOLESCENT RECEPTION/DETENTION CENTER ON RIKERS ISLAND WHERE 1,200 MALE TEENAGE INMATES PREFER SPORTS AND ACTION FILMS. FINALLY, THE ARTICLE DESCRIBES LIMITATIONS ON SERVICE AND URGES THAT PEOPLE LOOK AT A PRISON LIBRARY AS A CRUCIAL CULTURAL AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICE, RATHER THAN AS A PROBLEM OF CONTROL AND SECURITY. FOR RELATED ARTICLES, SEE NCJ-66192. (PRG)