Welcome to THE MLA Prison Libraries Committee Section
Prison Libraries Committee
Supporting access to books, information and library services
What we do
The Prison Libraries Committee of the Manitoba Library Association is a volunteer group that supports access to books, information, programming and library awareness for people who are incarcerated in Manitoba. PLC works with volunteers, correctional institutions, community partners and library supporters to provide collections, programming, reference support and advocacy for prison libraries in Manitoba.
Provide Books & Collections
PLC collects, organizes and delivers books to correctional institutions across Manitoba.
Support Library Awareness
PLC helps incarcerated Manitobans learn about library resources, tools and services they can access during and after incarceration.
Offer Programs & Reference Support
PLC supports programming, special guest visits, writing workshops, library services and email reference support in participating institutions.
Current Statements & Actions
Read PLC’s latest statements and action resources in support of prison libraries, librarians, library workers and access to information in correctional institutions. Find out how you can take action and support this work.
Advocate for Prison Library Staff
Correctional Service Canada has proposed removing dedicated library staff from federal prison libraries, raising concerns about access to information, literacy, education, and reintegration support. In response, PLC has launched a joint statement and a letter-writing campaign to defend prison libraries and the people who make them work.
Explore the actions underway and see how you can add your voice.
News & Media
Get Involved
You can support PLC by volunteering, donating books, making a financial contribution or helping share information about the importance of prison libraries.
Contact PLC
Have questions about the committee, volunteering, book donations or partnerships?
Prison Libraries Committee
Manitoba Library Association
THANK YOU
To our donors, those who have donated books and money.
To Highwater Press, Portage & Main Press, University of Manitoba Press, Griffin Trust for Excellence in Poetry, and McNally Robinson for their book donations
To the staff at the Winnipeg Remand Centre, the Women’s Correctional Centre, Headingley Correctional Centre for Men, Milner Ridge Correctional Centre, the Manitoba Youth Centre, and The Pas Correctional Centre for their support, advice and encouragement as we continue to develop and present library programming and services inside their respective correctional institutions.
To the Winnipeg Public Library for their continued support in the form of storage space for our collections, for donations of post-book sale books, and much more.
And a final heartfelt thank you to our prison library users, the incarcerated Manitobans who inspire us to do this good, hard, and important work. Thank you.