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CHICAGO - Presented by the , join us for eCourse beginning on November 6.

Many prisoners regret their criminal behavior and resolve to change their ways. Few places in the prison offer a more exciting opportunity to get inmates invested in lasting rehabilitative change than the prison library, yet many Departments of Correction undervalue the changed-based potential of both library and Librarian as vital pieces of the rehabilitative puzzle.

Ways to advocate for the library as a program environment (as opposed to being a simple management tool) will be discussed. Library-based programs such as consequential thinking, book discussions, writing-as-therapy, humor-as-therapy in the correctional environment, and the respectful treatment of women will be examined. The instructor will also share examples of course materials, curricula, and post-program data analysis.

Learning outcomes

• Participants will create a short, persuasive project proposal that they can submit to their respective institutions.
• Participants will be introduced to a variety of rehabilitative programs currently offered in prison libraries.
• Participants will be able to advocate for the rehabilitative potential of their library to institution Administrators.

Who should attend

• Current professional prison librarians
• Library Science students interested in prison librarianship
• Professional librarians with a strong interest in services to prisoners
• Public librarians who are motivated to partner with prison librarians to expand library services to prisoners

Instructor

William D. Mongelli

Institution Librarian Massachusetts Correctional Institution, Norfolk MA

Since his nine-month internship in prison library management through the University of Pittsburgh in 1985, Bill has worked as librarian for the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC), taught inmates Lexis research skills, consequential thinking, humor-as-therapy, book discussions, and ABE library orientation. He has given DOC workshops on legal research, prison library history, and constructive workplace humor. Since 2001, Bill has taught both in-person and online courses in prison library management for San Jose State University.

about this eCourse.

About ASCLA

ASCLA is a division of the ¾«¶«´«Ã½, offers convenient, year round online learning opportunities to further your knowledge and career skills. ASCLA’s online courses and webinars focus on topics related to state and specialized libraries, prison libraries, library cooperatives and library consultants as well as topics related to accessibility and outreach to underserved patrons. ASCLA members qualify for discounted registration rates including discounts on group registrations. Courses and webinars are open to the public.