معرفی
Bill Mongelli is a Lecturer at San José State University's School of Information, where he has taught the course Prison Library Management since 2001. He is based at MCI-Norfolk in Massachusetts, where he has served as a librarian since 1991, and brings extensive real-world experience in correctional librarianship to his academic role. His teaching spans both face-to-face and online formats, and includes full-semester and intensive summer offerings. He has also organized student tours at multiple correctional facilities to enhance experiential learning.
Bill earned his MLS from the University of Pittsburgh in 1986 and a BA in Creative Writing from California University of Pennsylvania in 1982. His academic journey began with a prison library internship at SCI-Pittsburgh, which launched his career in correctional education and library services.
His research and professional interests focus on the unique challenges and opportunities within prison libraries, including intellectual freedom, censorship, collections development for incarcerated populations, and the role of libraries in rehabilitation. He emphasizes transformative programming such as legal research training, moral development seminars (e.g., ABLE MINDS and CHARACTER), and bibliotherapy. His work bridges theory and practice, advocating for the library as an agent of change in correctional environments.
His publications explore themes such as legal access for prisoners, moral education through literature (e.g., using Tolkien), and the culture of prison librarianship. The articles demonstrate a consistent focus on empowerment, rehabilitation, and ethical library service in secure settings.
Scientific Awards and Recognitions:
- Accepted into Project SET (2016), a professional learning cohort for information professionals
- Organized educational prison tours for SJSU students at MCI-Norfolk, Chino, Frontera, and San Luis Obispo
- Presented at national and regional conferences including ALA, CECA, MLA, and NEFLA
- Developed public-access continuing education content for Simmons College and ALA
Bill has advised and delivered professional training through webinars and workshops. He has secured grant funding, notably the 2015 LSTA project on laughter-based stress reduction in prisons. He currently collaborates with folklorist Dr. Claire Schmidt on studying occupational humor in prison libraries as a form of soft power. His work consistently emphasizes innovation, advocacy, and the humanizing role of libraries in the criminal justice system.
He has led multiple long-term programs at MCI-Norfolk, including law clerk training (since 1987), the ABLE MINDS behavioral seminar (since 2005), and the CHARACTER course (since 2007). These initiatives reflect his commitment to rehabilitative education and personal development within the prison environment.
