Books to Prisoners was one of the first projects the collective that established Left Bank Books undertook after it opened the bookstore in 1973. The following text is reproduced from the flyer-like graphic announcement above. "We" in this case means Left Bank Books. A couple of Left Bank Books collective members are creating a small … Continue reading Left Bank Books is Doing an Archive Project!
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How the pandemic changed the volunteer experience at Books to Prisoners
Seattle Now is a weekday podcast produced by public radio station KUOW. Beginning at six minutes, board member Andy Chan describes how we adapted to quarantine. Volunteers from Real Change and The Museum of Flight are interviewed as well. This 15-minute program begins with a round-up of efforts to protest and prevent deaths of people … Continue reading How the pandemic changed the volunteer experience at Books to Prisoners
Meet Craig, Volunteer of the Month for March 2023
Craig began volunteering at BtP in July 2022. According to Andy, one of our board members, "From the first time I met Craig he had a different energy to him than most volunteers, which may be just Craig, but is probably explained by his lived experience." What got you interested in BTP to begin with, … Continue reading Meet Craig, Volunteer of the Month for March 2023
The Very Long Year
Andy Chan has volunteered with Book to Prisoners since 1994. This is the first in a series of anecdotes from our history to commemorate our 50th Anniversary . Books to Prisoners has had many homes: at least 9 that we can remember. For much of our existence we have lived rent-free. This was as much … Continue reading The Very Long Year
Meet Rocky, Volunteer of the Month for February 2023
What got you interested in BTP to begin with, or what made you start volunteering? Does it tie into the rest of your life in any meaningful way? I’ve always loved to read and have been involved in other literary and book-related organizations in the past. As for BTP specifically, I discovered the organization by … Continue reading Meet Rocky, Volunteer of the Month for February 2023
Texas DCJ censors the truth of trauma survivors
"On the heels of great work by @MarshallProj showing TX prisons ban thousands of books, we've just received a rejection from TX DCJ for Tiny Beautiful Things by @CherylStrayed. This, too, is a censorship trend: prisons conflate 'sexual content' with advice about handling trauma." -- https://twitter.com/B2PSeattle/status/1613622189332303881 On the heels of great work by The Marshall … Continue reading Texas DCJ censors the truth of trauma survivors
Meet Anjali, Volunteer of the Month for January 2023
"Anjali is the kind of young person we love to see taking an interest in literacy and reading in prison. Her stick-to-it-iveness is truly impressive," according to BTP board member Andy. She began volunteering with us in June. What got you interested in BTP to begin with, or what made you start volunteering? Does it … Continue reading Meet Anjali, Volunteer of the Month for January 2023
2022 in Review
Thanks to all who have helped make 2022 a memorable, productive, and successful year for BTP! While we wish our work wasn’t necessary, it continues to be a vital lifeline for many behind bars. 2022 highlights: January - A warden at South Central Correctional Facility in Clifton TN handed us a teachable moment about prison … Continue reading 2022 in Review
Reading is a Human Right
Another slogan on a board? Your support makes it real. In 2023, we anticipate over 14,000 requests from people in prisons and jails across the US. They may have few - if any - other ways of accessing books for education, personal growth, or companionship. We want to take a moment to thank all of you … Continue reading Reading is a Human Right
Meet Sydney, Volunteer of the Month, December 2022
Sydney began volunteering with Books to Prisoners in June. She comes in several times a month to wrap packages of books prisoners have requested. “Very focused, but really pleasant to be around”, according to BtP board member Andy, who often hosts the Tuesday night volunteer shift. Sydney has offered to use her experience applying for … Continue reading Meet Sydney, Volunteer of the Month, December 2022