Books Open Worlds for People Behind Bars: Library Services in Prison as Exemplified by the Muenster Prison Library, Germany's 'Library of the Year 2007'

摘要

The prison library at the Minister Correctional Facility was named "Library of the Year 2007" by the German Library Association. An examination of this specific library in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) provides insight into the operation and services of prison libraries in Germany. This article will hopefully inspire readers to get involved in library work with a social focus and bring attention to the new advocacy organization Prison Library Support Group (Foerderverein Gefangenenbuchereien e.V.). Besides opening the door to a world normally closed to the public, this article seeks to sensitize the reader to the microcosm of human experience that exists behind prison walls.