For the Purpose of Instruction and Diversion: The Library at the South Dakota State Penitentiary

ABSTRACT The library at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls played an important role within the institution’s history and can serve as a lens into wider cultural dynamics. This article examines the development of the library and how its use reflected societal perceptions of reading. In connection to the library, it explores the introduction and influence of entertainment and educational programs at the penitentiary. Many historical insights about reading at the penitentiary come from the inmates who oversaw the library. Notably, the study discloses the committed efforts of these library caretakers in advocating for the transformative power of reading. While it would be ideal to have direct accounts reflecting a range of voices from the broader prison community, including those with limited reading experience or from diverse cultural backgrounds, library records show that reading participation was widespread among the incarcerated population, leaving a significant imprint on prison life.