Australian prison libraries: minimum standard guidelines

4. Financial resources

4.1 Financial provision for prison libraries shall be made - or at least guaranteed - by the prison authority. Exactly how this funding is provided is a matter for each jurisdiction; for example, costs may be shared by the prison authority and one or more libraries such as the State Library.

4.2 However this is arranged, the Library Services Manager shall be assured of a regular annual budget, adequate for the purpose.

4.3 Annual funding for books and other resource materials shall amount to not less than $15.00 per capita of average inmate population. This figure shall vary each year according to the prevailing Consumer Price Index.

4.4 The extent of the total library budget spent on books etc will depend on staff costs, which will be minimised when support staffing is drawn from inmates. The standard for public libraries in Australia is 30 per cent. In prison libraries it should be higher.

4.5 The budget shall include provision for staffing and other necessary expenses such as: travel (staff training and development); stationery; equipment and maintenance; binding and photocopying. Overheads and capital expenditure are generally regarded as separate.