Since I started working in correctional libraries I have not had a chance to be bored and that is the way I like it. From the moment I leave my car to the movement I get back into it to go home, there is something for me to do. Just an example of what my day can be like: Arrive at the institution about 11:45 am.

• Get the library keys out of the electronic keeper.
• Walk the 10 minutes to the library door, going through 4 doors or gates controlled by a correctional officer.
• Get a cup of coffee.
• Check the never ending email on both DOC and State Library.
• Respond to anything that needs a response.
• Look over email to check for items with deadlines.
• Plan my items for the day.
• Check OCLC for pending and unfilled ILL requests.
• Run to the bathroom one last time before the doors open at 1pm.
• Clerks arrive at 1pm.
• The first unit arrives right behind them.
• 40 offenders arrive to return materials, check out books, request information.
• An hour passes by as I add new patrons, answer questions, and seal the mail for pickup at 2pm.
• The first unit clears the library making a mad dash for the door. I have a slight breather before the next group arrives.
• The 2^nd group arrives at about 2:05pm and the hectic hour of adding new patrons and answering questions begins.
• At 2:30pm the mail arrives.
• I start opening the mail, sorting the newspapers to give to a clerk, setting the magazines aside to enter in the computer when I have a moment and placing the ILL books aside to receive in OCLC when I get time to go to the office.
• At 3 pm the 2^nd group of the day makes the mad dash for the door.
• At 3:05 pm the 3^rd group of the day comes in and we start all over again.
• During this hour I also receive the ILL books in OCLC and enter the magazines into the computer.
• The 3^rd and last of the units for the afternoon leave at 3:45pm, my clerks are close behind them.
• I make a mad dash for the bathroom.
• I now have the time from 3:50 pm to 6 pm to do the following:
  • Check email again. Respond to any that had a deadline of 4pm.
  • Search for the ILL requests in OCLC.
  • Return ILL request in OCLC.
  • Order new books from Baker and Taylor.
  • Order any supplies that are needed.
  • Any special projects that need the Internet.
  • Find records for books on the WSL catalog.
  • Compile and write reports that need to be submitted.
  • Sneak about 30 minutes for my lunch.
  • Make the mad dash back to the bathroom before 6pm.
• 6 pm brings the clerks and the first unit of the night.
• 1 hour rush of adding new patrons, answering reference questions begin.
• However, this hour I get to do any special projects that need to be done that don't require the Internet, read Library Journal and Booklist so that I can order new books.
• 7pm they make the last ditch effort to check out their materials and return to their unit.
• 7:05 pm the last unit of the night arrives and we start all over.
• 8:00 pm the last offender walks out the door.
• I turn off the lights and computers.
• Check my email one last time.
• Lock the office door and then the library door.
• By 8:30 pm I have returned the radio, passed though 4 correctional officer controlled doors, returned my keys to the key control box.
• The last part of the day is walking to my car and going home.