Evidence-based practice is the purposeful implementation of processes that have been proven by research to be most effective.
The concept is an evolving one in the field of corrections, and within the field of librarianship it is also beginning to be discussed.
The correctional librarian
is uniquely positioned between both worlds, providing the services of a special library in a correctional setting for a population of patrons with a variety of criminogenic needs affecting their personal development toward a life free of crime.
Evidence-Based Librarianship in Corrections is an area of exploration for the National Institute of Corrections to address the professional needs of the nation’s library service providers working in corrections.
By weaving together the best of research and evidence from both the corrections and library services fields, this work aims to fill the lack of information available to professionals in the field looking for proven, evidence-based approaches to professional questions.