Books Open Worlds for People Behind Bars: Library Services in Germany’s Prisons Ranging from Local Best Practice Examples and Regional Experiences in North Rhine-Westphalia to Steadily Growing Internationality^*

Abstract

The chapter “Books Open Worlds for People Behind Bars” by Gerhard Peschers gives an insight into library services in correctional facilities in Germany on different levels, ranging from local best practice examples (e.g., Berlin, Bremen, Dortmund, and Würzburg) via regional experiences – focusing on longstanding experiences in North Rhine-Westphalia, in particular the outstanding former Münster prison library which was awarded the German national Library Prize “Library of the Year 2007” – and nationwide subjects to grown internationality based on long-term integration into the library community. Fundamental issues include history and the legal basis of prison libraries as well as practical experiences on various levels of responsibility and its diverse scope of tasks, such as collection development, data processing, interior design, events, and cooperation with city libraries.

The outlook provides the state of play and the challenges regarding digitalization for the development of prison libraries.

Finally, the author’s dream of the book tree on the prison wall, which found international resonance, invites you to share the vision of dialog and tolerance across dividing walls.

Citation

Peschers, G. (2021), "Books Open Worlds for People Behind Bars: Library Services in Germany’s Prisons Ranging from Local Best Practice Examples and Regional Experiences in North Rhine-Westphalia to Steadily Growing Internationality^*", Garner, J. (Ed.) Exploring the Roles and Practices of Libraries in Prisons: International Perspectives (Advances in Librarianship, Vol. 49), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 227-257. https://doi.org/10.1108/S0065-283020210000049012