The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1917-03-08
-. G. OM Nj e II Il S -.
Minnesota State Prison Library

A soap box would seem rather peculiar place
for circulating library to spring from, also a
library of over IL 900 we'll selected books to have
started and grown from few miscellaneous books
of no great value might also strange, but such
was the start of the present Minnesota State Prison
Library The nucleus around which developed our
present library containing II 900 volumes,
through privilege granted inmates by of the
wardens of earlier days. This privilege granted
that inmates could procure books from their rela-
tives or friends Adding TO this "entering wedge"
the further permission granting frendess and less
fortunate inmates afterward read the books thus
secured it is easy to imagine the progressive stages
that followed toward the establishment of per-
manent library as benefcent privilege toward in
mates by the prison management.
Regarding the earlier history and development
of our own prison library, complete records are
forthcoming. An omission that today leaves room
for very interesting conectures and curiosity as to
who were it's kindly benefactors and promoters. 1t
would give pleasure to accurately know what OBJ
stacles had to be overcome and what means were
provided and suggested to create the Minnesota
State Prison Library, that now ranks one of the
best in the country 1t would give us pleasure, had
we in record form for publication, all the facts,
names, donations and personal help relating to this
phase of our library growth. To the pioneers and
promoters of our own library however any inmate
ever here confined, present member within our
portals, is sincerely indebted.
In searching through old files of THE MIRROR
for items relative to library, we find scanty but
significant facts. Thus, among the more important
items we find that 900 books added to our
library during the month of July, 1887, through
personal loan of $3.50 by former Warden H. G. Sor-
dock, and in the month $50 volumes were pre-
scented by Mrs. w. H. Carman, Vice President of
the w. G. r. u, of Minneapolis. In September of
the year $3.50 were expended for books. of
which THE MIRROR contributed $3.50, and for which
sum 625 volumes of miscellaneous books were
ceived.
Years ago penal homogeneous were legally con-
fined to administrative affairs that did not provide
for diversion in reading other recreaOns for the
wards of the State Neither sanctioned they privi-
leges that today are regarded as vital and necessary
aids to furthering the moral and mental welfare of
immured delinquents But today, in all model penal
institutions the library is indicative of it's efficiency
and worth in the mental and moral rehabilitation
of the unfortunates within it's Jurisdiction Thus
the study and observations by officials OF earlier ad
ministrations, relating to the needs and welfare of
their charges lead the development of the prison
library. The Night schools, chautauquas, outdoor
recreations, movies" and privileges for advanced
education, through correspondence school courses,
are but the logical sequence of liberal prison
agement.
The first library catalogue. listing about 900
volumes, was published in September. 1887. the
books being kept in one of the cell rooms, shelving
having been built in for that purpose No copy of
the 1887 catalogue seems to have survived the NOV
ing PERIOD when the prison replaced the old.
The present management has been very sue
cessful through its interest and selection of real
lv hepfnl books for the use of inmates, and COM