In a Place of Monotony and Despair: A Library!

Abstract

Purpose

This chapter presents an exploration of interrelated issues of diversity, poverty, race, and incarceration, as challenges for libraries and information professionals in certain communities.

Methodology/approach

Through the perspective of the author’s personal experiences in libraries, including a long career in prison librarianship, the chapter provides a cross-national and cross-cultural view of race and inclusion in libraries.

Findings

The chapter emphasizes the transformational impacts of libraries on their patrons, particularly in areas and situations of significant need, such as prison libraries.

Citation

Shirley, G. (2016), "In a Place of Monotony and Despair: A Library!", Celebrating the James Partridge Award: Essays Toward the Development of a More Diverse, Inclusive, and Equitable Field of Library and Information Science (Advances in Librarianship, Vol. 42), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 77-88. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0065-283020160000042008