Australian prison libraries: minimum standard guidelines

3. Management

3.1 Provision of library services to prisoners shall be in the first instance the responsibility of the prison authority. A network based on a strong central library, owned and operated by the prison authority, is a desirable model. This authority may, however, arrange for a state library, public libraries or other type of libraries to provide services on its behalf. If so, it is recommended that this be done on a contractual basis.

3.2 To achieve consistency and make best use of the resources available, it is recommended that a professional librarian be designated as library services manager, responsible for services to all, prisons, and that this librarian report directly to not less than the third level of seniority within the prison authority.

3.3 Within each prison, matters of security, discipline, timetabling etc. affecting the library shall be the ultimate responsibility of the prison superintendent. However in anything relating to the profession of librarianship, responsibility will lie with the library services manager.

3.4 Library staff shall encourage and maintain close co-operation with others involved in prisoner programs, e.g. education officers, recreation officers or welfare officers.