Prison Librarian Shares Story

By Kathy Knotts 

It sounds like the title of a blockbuster movie: The Librarian Who Went to Prison. But in truth, it’s the real-life story of Glennor Shirley. 

Shirley tells her story as a librarian in the Maryland Correctional Education System in her book Journal of the Library Who Went to Prison for Money, and in an upcoming virtual presentation, part of Historic Sotterley’s Common Ground initiative Transcending Barriers Toward Healing. 

Shirley shares tales of the positive transformation of prisoners who use prison libraries to educate themselves. Her own activism in prison library systems led to the creation of a unique CD-ROM that teaches prisoners how to use the internet and founded programs that provide inmates the opportunity to read with their children.  

“The library profession provides the opportunity to interact and provide educational resources for people with different cultures, race, and education levels in a non-judgmental way,” Shirley says. “It is about initiating, creating, bringing awareness and engagement not only to those who visit, but community members at large through events of potential interest.” 

This presentation is co-sponsored by the St. Mary’s County Public Library and Calvert County Library. There will be opportunities for Q & A during the webinar. 

The presentation is free but registration is required. Feb. 17, 7pm, RSVP: www.sotterley.org