thing 16 ...speaking up and getting published...

I wrote this for the SIGPrison Libraries. it was published in one of their magazines this year...  i think i speak up for prison libraries and their future....  

The future of prison libraries, from someone new in the job.

I have been a senior library assistant within holme house prison for just over 2 years, and I thoroughly enjoy the challenges and satisfaction of what the job brings.

With virtual campus been integrated in to libraries, moving  computer access forward, I feel we are going to be in a better position for the future as we can use the attendance figures for this  to our own advantage.  It will give us the opportunity to be able to promote events and reader development to the wider population who may not get to the library on a regular basis or at all. This will in turn, I believe, show that the prison library is a necessary part of prison life and prisoner resettlement and it won’t take up too much officer time in the process.

Personally, for the future of my prison library I will be giving 100% of my enthusiasm and commitment to make my library have worth and value on what it provides, and not let it be recognised as an unnecessary waste of prison time. To use my abilities of communication I will be making myself noticeable in all areas of my prison, to make sure the populous know that the library is here and it will for years to come!