EJP Community Library Member Application

NOTE - EJP Community Library Member position is a non-compensated position, not a part-time job

Due November 15, 2026

Thank you for your interest in the Education Justice Project Community Library! The library provides resources that serve the learning and research needs of students at Danville Correctional Center. In addition, we offer programming and community space typical to academic and public libraries—a purposeful third space within the prison. Our primary goal is to provide students with just and equitable access to information.

The main responsibility of our Associate Community Librarians is to provide guidance and training for our on-site team of incarcerated Student Librarians at DCC. These EJP students are responsible for building, cataloging, and maintaining a thoughtful collection of print and digital resources, fostering information literacy, and organizing library events that continue critical thinking and discussion outside the classroom. Currently, we meet with our Student Librarians at the prison on Mondays from 1:30 - 4:30. We are seeking applications from individuals who are available during the 2026-27 academic year.

While there are sometimes positions available for library members who are not librarians, we are currently requiring an MLIS, current enrollment in an MLIS program, or equivalent professional experience. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. However, because EJP aims to create a supportive learning environment for our incarcerated students, we especially encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds align with those of our students. This includes members of racial minority groups, first-generation degree holders, and individuals from low socioeconomic status backgrounds. According to Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) policy, if you are formerly incarcerated within Illinois or are actively visiting a friend or family who is incarcerated in IDOC, it is unlikely you will be able to receive IDOC clearance. Unfortunately, this is beyond our control.

Please complete the online application, which you can access by cllicking the "Apply for this Job" button in the top right corner. We realize this language may be confusing. Associated librarians are not compensated. Unfortunately, our platform does not allow us to change the word "job."

Attach a cover letter addressing your reasons for applying with EJP, your reflections about working in a prison (including any apprehensions or concerns you might have), and anything else you want us to know about your suitability for this work.

Please reach out to Karen Hogenboom and Kelli McQueen, EJP Library Co-Coordinators at [email protected] with questions.

Thank you for your interest in the EJP Community Library!

• Education Justice Project
• University of Illinois
• 1001 S. Wright St.
• Champaign, IL 61820
• 217-300-5150
• [email protected]
• www.educationjustice.net