|
|
| Providing the resources - Eye On a corrections librarian |
| By Ann Coppola, News Reporter |
| Published: 05/29/2007 |
Editor’s note: Our “Eye On” feature is an occasional series covering careers in corrections. It is our hope that these articles not only generate interest from those on the outside about a career in corrections, but also help current practitioners understand the skills, challenges and rewards associated with different positions.Imagine a job where you get to be a detective, educator and security officer all in one, where helping and guiding others is a daily responsibility. Being a corrections librarian entails exactly that and means a lot more than just dealing with books. It requires confidence, an innovative and curious mind, and attention to detail. From directing inmates and corrections staff, to managing the resources they require, and observing patterns to detect contraband, these employees have a range of duties that are integral to many different facets of the corrections world. Corrections.com spoke with Joseph Bouchard, who’s been a librarian at Baraga Maximum Correctional Facility in Baraga, Michigan for the past 13 years, to see what a day in the life of a corrections librarian is really like. Corrections.com: What’s it like to be a corrections librarian? Bouchard: Primarily, it is a resource person finding resources for staff as well as prisoners. It’s a lot like detective work. We are not lawyers nor are we paralegals, however we are resource people. We can guide those who need it through the dizzying maze of basic law books. We’re basically sign posts. CC:Give us some insight on your primary responsibilities? Bouchard:At this level, which is a maximum security prison, the primary focus is on the law library. We also have a legal writers program, which I oversee, and legal photocopies take up a lot of my professional duties. Most of the prisoners in this institution are in segregation units so their law and general library needs are met through a delivery system. A good deal of my time is seeing that these books are assembled accurately and it’s also my responsibility to check these books for contraband. CC:What’s something people might not know about corrections librarians? Bouchard: Being that I work in a maximum security prison, service people like librarians are not exempt from assisting custody staff. Perhaps the best thing a librarian can do is observe patterns, associations and contraband. CC:What should a corrections librarian have to be successful? Bouchard:Confidence, knowledge of chain of command, knowledge of policy, curiosity judiciously mixed with caution, though perhaps the most important attribute is good communication skills. CC:Any advice for aspiring librarians? Bouchard:You work two sides of a hyphen – you are a librarian on one side and a corrections practitioner on the other. So, it’s a balance between service and security. This is not for everyone. However, if you’re an individual that has a detective’s mind, a solid of understanding of policy and procedure, the ability to follow structure and have an interest in different types of personalities, this may be for you. And it is best to visit a correctional facility on tour prior to making a commitment. |
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think