Prison library receives Michigan’s annual Librarian’s Excellence Award

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A prison library in the Upper Peninsula has been awarded the 2024 State Librarian's Excellence Award.

The Kinross Correctional Facility Library, located at the Michigan Department of Corrections facility in Chippewa County, received the award during the Michigan Library Association Awards event Wednesday, the state said in a release.

The award for superior customer service includes $3,000 in privately donated funds.

The library serves a prison that houses 1,280 inmates.

"Access to quality library services is fundamental for those looking to improve their lives after they are released from our custody," Michigan Department of Corrections Director Heidi Washington said in the release. "We are very proud of the library for being recognized for their superior customer service, and for providing the information and programing needed to help people succeed."

Members of the selection committee for the annual award were impressed by the library's unique strategies and partnerships, especially with its work with the University of Michigan's Prison Arts Project.

"Libraries can serve as the center of communities, not only curating collections for educational and recreational reading, but by meeting needs, providing information, and supporting programs and activities," Kinross Correctional Facility librarian Suvi Manner said in the release. "The Kinross Correctional Facility library offers personal enrichment activities that are interconnected with daily library services."

This is the 23rd year of the State Librarian's Excellence Award program. This is the first year a prison library has received the award.

Previous winners in the West Michigan area include the Fremont Area District Library, the Grand Valley State University Library and the Marshall District Library.