Blog

Meet Roger and Susan, Volunteers of the Month for June 2023

You won't see Roger and Susan during shifts very often, but they make enormous contributions behind the scenes.  When “Books to Prisoners” (BtP) worked out of the University Christian Church in the U-district, Roger was a Wednesday morning regular. He was also a Friend of the Seattle Public Library, and frequently brought books the SPL … Continue reading Meet Roger and Susan, Volunteers of the Month for June 2023

How the Grateful Dead Played a Part in BTP Becoming a 501(c)3 Nonprofit

Author Andy Chan has been with BtP since 1994. Books to Prisoners is federally registered 501(c)3 nonprofit and has been since 2009 (donations to BTP are tax-deductible!). But for decades like many small charities we weren’t a 501(c)3, not least because the cost of applying seemed prohibitive, and the number of donors asking if they … Continue reading How the Grateful Dead Played a Part in BTP Becoming a 501(c)3 Nonprofit

April 28 – May 8 Independent Bookstore Days are here

Shop local in Seattle and support Books to Prisoners starting tomorrow! Phinney Books, 7405 Greenwood Ave N Left Bank Books, 92 Pike St Queen Anne Book Company, 1811 Queen Anne Ave N. Each of these three stores will have a table devoted to frequently-requested titles. Whatever you spend on books from those tables during Independent … Continue reading April 28 – May 8 Independent Bookstore Days are here

Keep Free Books Available to People at Rikers Island

Call for action: It is our understanding that NYC Department of Corrections is planning on stopping Books to Prisoners and other prison book programs from sending books into the infamous Rikers Island jail complex. Rikers houses convicted people and pre-trial detainees. The NYCDOC's Board of Correction released a communication which notably allows companies that sell books (Amazon, … Continue reading Keep Free Books Available to People at Rikers Island

Interview with A Voice From Prison

"There are over forty organizations in the United States that distribute donated books to prisons and incarcerated individuals. One of these nonprofit organizations is Books to Prisoners, located in Seattle, Washington. They have been responding to individual requests for books for close to five decades. We sat down with Andy Chan, who has volunteered there … Continue reading Interview with A Voice From Prison