This online course sounds incredibly interesting. Taught by Massachusetts prison librarian William D. Mongelli, the month-long workshop aims to teach participants how to advocate for the library as a program environment and not just a “simple management tool”:
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
Seriously considering forking over the student registration cost to learn more about this field! It makes sense to me that A2J would include prison inmates – after all, many of them are self-represented, and many inmates have great difficulty understanding their legal issues.