Rosenwald on Chicken Poop and Prison

I just read in The Washington Post an article titled  : Maryland's Chicken Poop:  So Powerful, it can electrify a Prison
No comment from me.

Plessy v Ferguson

I was not born in the United States, so lack experience regarding many of the historical issues of racism. The prisoners with whom I worked brought Plessy vs Ferguson to my attention.  This morning's Washington Post had a reminder of this landmark case.  Reading it reminded me of the inmates- 5 days into my retirement.

Prison Librarian Retires

Sounds dramatic to use Shakespeare's  "Parting is such sweet sorrow' but that sort of sums up my sentiments on September 30, when I retired as Coordinator for the Correctional Education Libraries.   I have worked in public, school, special, broadcasting, and prison libraries.  In this long and varied library career, the latter has been the most rewarding.
Why?  I witnessed transformation in majority of the individuals who arrived in prison as bad guys and gals.  Within 2 to 3 years as they began to make use of the educational opportunities in the prisons,  I saw attitudes change and the desire for information increase.  The library was the central source in the quest for knowledge.
As an active member of the Maryland Library Association, I will continue to advocate for library service to prisoners, and am willing to do training with interested groups.  The following is an article that was written by Mike Rosenwald of the Washington Post

My colleagues came me a clock, now that I am no longer doing time

Donations criteria

I have been getting questions about donations since the Washington Post article.  Below are the criteria

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/glennor-shirley-head-librarian-for-md-prisons-believes-in-books-behind-bars/2011/03/25/AFXcTbYB_story.html

We try to provide up to date information that will assist the inmates to make a successful reentry back to the community.  We have current legal databases and current reference books

What we do not accept:

• Old magazines
• Old law books
• Text books
• Old classics
• Damaged materials, including books that are brown with age.
• Any material that compromises security, for example, materials on how to on building bombs, making weapons, martial arts, attack strategies, pornography, etc.

What we accept if materials are in good condition:

• Reference materials no older than 2 years
• Current Non Fiction (psychology, self help, self improvement, relationships, starting your own business, business plan, career, English language dictionaries, health information
• Anything on the NYT and Washington Post Bestseller Lists
• Popular authors, like Grisham, Ludlum, Patterson, Stephen King, Alice Walker, Patricia Cornwell, Grafton, etc.
• Mysteries, horror, romance, books by African-American writers
• Materials that enhance our occupational programs.  Landscaping, building, roofing, plumbing, etc.

 

Any questions Contact:  Glennor Shirley  email:  glennors66@yahoo.com