This document discusses the GELA Women's Prison Library & Reintegration Project. The project aims to improve library services and resources for inmates at the Edmonton Institution for Women prison. Volunteers have provided book donations, trained inmate librarians, started a book club, and created storybook kits. They are partnering with the Edmonton Public Library to expand access to books and support inmate reintegration after release. Key challenges include navigating prison security policies while upholding principles of access to information.

1. Books Behind Bars: Community Development Librarianship in Prison Libraries "Mommy, can you read me some more music?" GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project 1

2. Today’s Session Backgrounder Our current projects and initiatives Community Librarianship / Public Library perspective Responding to challenges and successes Film Questions? GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project 2

3. Background - Our Motivation Prisoner's Right to Read Statement (ALA 2010) 3 Unfettered access to information is essential [to] those who wish to prosper within a democratic society [...] Suppression of ideas does not prepare the incarcerated for transition to freedom. GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

4. Background - How We Got Started Tours Relationship Building Weeding Building Relationships Book drive More Relationship Building Training 4 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

5. Background - Building the Committee We recognize we are not "expert" librarians - rather we are learners in an unfamiliar space We are careful about making assumptions and are conscious of our own (potential) biases Service and project planning for the prison library has been community-led and collaborative 5 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

6. Background - About the EIFW Opened in 1995 Federal correctional facility for federally sentenced women Houses minimum, medium and maximum security female inmates Built to house 123 women 6 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

7. Background - About the Women 82% have a history of sexual or physical abuse Aboriginal women represent over 30% of women behind bars Over 80% of incarcerated women are serving time for poverty-related offences 2/3 of the women are mothers 66% do not have a high school diploma 7 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

8. Background - The Library 8 The prison librarian was my first job and a title I was very proud to hold [...] I have always believed the women who are within the prison system are those who are in the most need of all the resources a library and community can and should provide. - Susanne, former inmate librarianEIFW Fireweed Library GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

9. Background – Inmate Librarian 9

10. Storybook Kits 10 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

11. Book Club 11 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

12. 12 Blog [gelaprison.wordpress.com] GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

13. Our Approach: Community Development Librarianship 13 In a library context Community Development means building relationships with people that allow the library to go beyond a simple consultation and support process and expand into meaningful and inclusive collaborations. Community Development also emphasizes learning from the community and adapting library programs, services, and policies to meet the community's stated need. The Working Together Project, "Community Development" GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

14. Collaboration with Edmonton Public Library 14 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

16. Emerging outcomes15 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

18. Rising to the Challenges Security Streamlining the entry process Constantly evolving security standards Consultation with CSC staff Communication and debriefing Volunteering in pairs Mitigating emotional challenges 17 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

19. Rising to the Challenges Bureaucracy Frequent staff changes and rule changes Negotiating the constraints of the prison organization Communication strategies Relationship building 18 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

20. Rising to the Challenges Prison Policy At odds with core values of librarianship Policies cannot be challenged so we need to compromise The mandate and mission of Correctional Service Canada may differ from ours, but as individuals we all care about these women 19 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

21. Rising to the Challenges Funding 20 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

22. Next Steps What role can libraries in our community play? Mentor the newly released Provide technology/bibliographic instruction Advocate for libraries and librarians in prisons Provide funding assistance for this project Embark on similar projects in your community Student volunteers, Future Librarians for Intellectual Freedom 21 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

23. Kirsten Wurmann, Librarian, Legal Resource Centre Masha Ribich, Community Librarian, Abbottsfield Penny Mckee Branch, Edmonton Public Library Moyra Lang, Researcher & Consultant, University of Alberta Tara Forman, Early Literacy Librarian, Strathcona County Library Tanya Driechel, Librarian, St Joe’s College, University of Alberta Today's Presenters 22 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

24. Questions Some issues to think about: Are there other way for library workers and community partnerships to support this type of outreach service? Can you suggest other initiatives for the GELA Women's Prison Library and Reintegration Committee to pursue? 23 GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project

25. Many thanks to our partners and supporters: 24 Future Librarians for Intellectual Freedom (FLIF)University of Alberta BookstoresUpper Crust Café & Caterers For more information, check out our blog:http://gelaprison.wordpress.com Email: gelaprisonproject@gmail.com GELA Women's PrisonLibrary & Reintegration Project