Setting out a methodological framework for undertaking effective reviews of national prison library services: Design of an inclusive methodology for the Irish Prison Library Review

Prison library services in Ireland are inconsistent nationally and provision varies across sites, with a limited number of professional library staff working in the prison sector located primarily within only one geographic area. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA, Ireland) commissioned a review of prison library services in Ireland to examine how library services should operate. A challenge within prison librarianship involves closing the gap between international standards and policies, and the state of provision on the ground. By providing a detailed description of the review methodology, other researchers, policy makers, and practitioners can learn from the experiences and approach taken by this research team. This process of knowledge exchange is intended to assist anyone undertaking a review of library services and will also be of interest to those working in the field of prison librarianship. The review methodology sits within a broader context of change management and critical librarianship. • A detailed methodology is set out for undertaking a national review of prison library services. • Co-design involving key stakeholders led to strong agreement on strategic and practical priorities from the review. • Data collection involving librarians, prison staff, and persons in custody provided a rich understanding of the context. • Global best practice was also considered as part of the review. • Principles for Prison Library Provision were designed to shape the strategic future for prison libraries in Ireland.