A typical day for me.

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 2nd 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 2nd group of the day makes the mad dash for the door.
  • At 3:05 pm the 3rd 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 3rd 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.
All of this being said, it does not account for the surprises of the day, 60 inmates arrive at 7 pm instead of 40 and all have to be sorted out for those that get to stay and those that need to leave. Or the email from my boss telling me I need to run a report and fax it to her by 4 pm. Or that I have to deal with problems that arise when someone supervises 4 offender library clerks. My day is full of many things, that I like to do and some things that I could do without, which means that it is never boring.
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