Life in Prison: Libraries and librarians in correctional facilities

“When you are free you don’t have such a painful desire to read as you have in prison. You can get any book at home, in the shops or from the internet. In prison books become the air. Your body needs air to breathe. No books – you cannot breathe. And if you cannot breathe there is no life.” –Belarusian journalist Iryna Khalip, detained for criticising her country’s regime

With approximately 39,000 people incarcerated in Canada, prison libraries strive to provide neutral spaces for learning, reflection, and fun, and working within them comes with unique constraints and opportunities! Taught by the former manager of a UK prison library, in this workshop you will learn to:

Recognise the position and daily tasks of a prison librarian
Describe some of the qualities that make a great prison librarian
Apply knowledge, analyse available resources and construct a collection development plan for a prison library

Instructor: Jen Sloane, Library Service Manager, Toronto Public Library

Date and Time: September 19, 2022 from 3-5 pm