My time as a librarian behind the wire – Judith Wenborn
My journey as a librarian began in the early 1990s at Canterbury Public Library. I spent seven years there, five of those at Linwood Library; a great learning ground. In 2008, having moved to a lifestyle block out of town, I accepted a position at Selwyn Public Library, based at the Darfield library. After three years I moved to the new Rolleston Library, where I was based for seven years. For ten years at Selwyn, I co-managed the libraries with Marilyn Begg. There were many highlights of this time, including attending the South Island Public Library Managers Meeting each year, where information was shared and support given, and networks established. I was asked to represent Rural Public Libraries on the first Public Libraries Strategic Framework working group. Meeting with such New Zealand library icons as Sue Sutherland, Jane Hill and Allison Dobbie (and others) on a monthly basis was inspiring and I learnt a lot from the experience. The ensuing document was a first in New Zealand and led to the PLNZ being established and the People’s Network. Leading on from this was the Public Library Forum which I also attended.
I decided during 2007 that I needed to destress my life and move on from Selwyn. I accepted a position ‘behind the wire’ at Christchurch Men’s Prison, starting in January 2008. So, for the last eleven years, I have been a Prison Librarian. I’ve worked mostly at Christchurch Men’s Prison, but also at Christchurch Women’s Prison (1–2 days a week) for 8 years, and Rolleston Prison (for 3 days a week) for the last year. Last year I was assigned to Rolleston and Christchurch Women’s, while my colleague Susan Smith stayed on at Christchurch Men’s.
I decided during 2007 that I needed to destress my life and move on from Selwyn. I accepted a position ‘behind the wire’ at Christchurch Men’s Prison, starting in January 2008. So, for the last eleven years, I have been a Prison Librarian. I’ve worked mostly at Christchurch Men’s Prison, but also at Christchurch Women’s Prison (1–2 days a week) for 8 years, and Rolleston Prison (for 3 days a week) for the last year. Last year I was assigned to Rolleston and Christchurch Women’s, while my colleague Susan Smith stayed on at Christchurch Men’s.
How is working behind the wire different?
The Prison Library service helps in the efforts to rehabilitate prisoners. The provision of prison library services ensures that prisoners can constructively occupy their time by reading. Staff also assist prisoners with using the library services so that, on release from prison, they will see community-based library services as a hub of information and resources for themselves and their families.Our borrowers can usually select their own reading material, whether it is by mail order or by unit visits to the library.
Prisoners have no access to the internet, so readers’ advisory is a huge part of the service. Many of the prisoners are a good support with this, as there are many avid readers (contrary to popular belief) and happily help others out by suggesting good reads.Newsletters are compiled regularly, listing new books added to the collection, interesting information, colouring-in sheets, Sudoku, crosswords, and wordfinds, as well as book reviews, author biographies, etc. Much of this is contributed by prisoners.Prison libraries are supported by donations from the community as well as from prisoners. In Canterbury we have been lucky to be well supported by Christchurch City Libraries and Selwyn Libraries in this regard.
Christchurch City Libraries also supports the prison libraries by inter-loaning requested books as a part of their Outreach programme. We have appreciated the support, especially from Rebecca (Fingertip Library) and Liz, and the rest of the team at Hornby Library who are our support people.
Earthquakes!
An interesting time in Canterbury. Most of our borrowers were ‘decanted’ to other prisons due to damage and water shortages after the September 2010 quake. Most had been returned within a couple of months, all back in time for the February 2011 quakes! Health and Safety changes, etc, were high priority. Many ‘lost’ books and magazines found their way back to the libraries as all items were returned.
The Prison Library service helps in the efforts to rehabilitate prisoners. The provision of prison library services ensures that prisoners can constructively occupy their time by reading. Staff also assist prisoners with using the library services so that, on release from prison, they will see community-based library services as a hub of information and resources for themselves and their families.Our borrowers can usually select their own reading material, whether it is by mail order or by unit visits to the library.
Prisoners have no access to the internet, so readers’ advisory is a huge part of the service. Many of the prisoners are a good support with this, as there are many avid readers (contrary to popular belief) and happily help others out by suggesting good reads.Newsletters are compiled regularly, listing new books added to the collection, interesting information, colouring-in sheets, Sudoku, crosswords, and wordfinds, as well as book reviews, author biographies, etc. Much of this is contributed by prisoners.Prison libraries are supported by donations from the community as well as from prisoners. In Canterbury we have been lucky to be well supported by Christchurch City Libraries and Selwyn Libraries in this regard.
Christchurch City Libraries also supports the prison libraries by inter-loaning requested books as a part of their Outreach programme. We have appreciated the support, especially from Rebecca (Fingertip Library) and Liz, and the rest of the team at Hornby Library who are our support people.
Earthquakes!
An interesting time in Canterbury. Most of our borrowers were ‘decanted’ to other prisons due to damage and water shortages after the September 2010 quake. Most had been returned within a couple of months, all back in time for the February 2011 quakes! Health and Safety changes, etc, were high priority. Many ‘lost’ books and magazines found their way back to the libraries as all items were returned.
Satisfaction and Rewards
- Too many to list. Seeing a borrower develop their reading skills from being illiterate to being able to write a letter to his mother, to see someone who has read the Harry Potter series four times move on to other authors and non-fiction, to hear that a prisoner has received 100% for a Massey assignment. We cannot take credit for their achievements, but we know that what we have been able to do is support their learning by providing reading material that they cannot access any other way. We work closely with the tutors to ensure that this happens.
- Speaking at LIANZA Conferences in 2009 and 2015 with Susan Smith. Outlining the development of Library services behind the wire. As most law-abiding citizens have never seen the inside of a prison, our sessions were well attended and there were many questions asked.
- Visitors – to visit a prison you need security clearance, must leave your belongings and cellphone in your car or a locker, go through the metal detector, etc. Several years ago, we organised a visit for the Linwood Library staff to come into Christchurch Men’s prison. As well as visiting the library, a senior staff member gave them a tour of the prison.
- During Paula Eskett’s LIANZA President-elect year we organised a visit for her to Christchurch Men’s Prison too. This was useful for her to see the challenges of working in a prison environment first-hand.
- Attending LIANZA Conferences with other prison librarians has been great for forging a network. We now have 2 monthly video meetings and often telephone each other for support and to share resources.
So, eleven years behind the wire. Why do we do it? Maybe a few comments received from borrowers in my last week will give you an idea –
Just wanted to say, I am sorry to see you leave. You were an awesome librarian and very helpful to me and other ladies in here.
All the very best in your retirement. Thanks for the fun, your help and the memories.
Thank you for getting me the School Journals. I can read them now.
Thinking about a change of direction?
Prison Librarianship is different. It can be frustrating, but also satisfying, and a highly rewarding experience.
Where to for me now? More travel to interesting places, more time with my husband Tony, and my three children and six grandchildren.
Oh, and some more reading!
LIANZA wishes Judith all the very best for her retirement. We hope she has a great stack of books to read and plenty of happy days ahead with friends and family, especially her six grandchildren.