Australian prison libraries: minimum standard guidelines

Appendix I: Prison officer librarian training program: checklist

The following principles and practice should be covered in any training program. The length of such a program should depend on local practice and constraints, but a minimum period of ten working days is considered to be essential.

1. The role of libraries - their aims and objectives.
2. Library services in the Australia - the national scene.
3. The local library system, including school and welfare library services.
4. Prison libraries - their characteristics.
5. Prisoners' library needs.
6. Books - their characteristics and selection.
7. Ordering and receipt of books.
8. Cataloguing practice, including use of catalogues.
9. Classification schemes.
10. Request service.
11. Inter-library loans.
12. Bibliographical work.
13. Reference and information work.
14. Other branch and mobile library routines:
    1. general administration - statistics, stationery supplies
    2. reader's registration
    3. shelving and guiding
    4. issuing system
    5. binding and withdrawals
    6. displays and publicity