*OVERVIEW:
Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project is a volunteer, non-profit program based in Bloomington, IN. We focus on sending FREE reading material to men and women in prisons and jails, as well as young people in youth correctional facilities. We receive book requests from incarcerated folks and fill their requests from reading materials donated to us by our community. New volunteers are extremely welcome to help us read letters, fill requests, and package the books to send!
*WHY PAGES TO PRISONERS EXISTS:
The Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project exists to elleviate pain, boredom, and attrition, as well as to provide a direct opportunity for self-education. Additionally, we exist because prison libraries sometimes fail in this respect, are understocked, or are only able to be patronized during specific and limited hours. We exist because prisoners are not strangers- they are brothers, sisters, friends, cousins, mothers, and children.
*WHAT WE DO (MORE SPECIFICALLY):
Pages to prisoners responds directly to prisoners throughout the Midwest and the United States who write us requesting FREE reading materials. We fill an average of 100 requests per week. Requests range from general subject areas (the most common being African American Studies, Native American Studies, Law) to specific titles and authors. Our most requested book is a dictionary. In addition to sending free books to prisoners upon request, we also provide resource guides and do some community outreach and education.
*HOW WE DO IT:
Pages to Prisoners operates entirely on donated books and funds. Fund-raisers range from weekly solicitation in front of the post office to benefit events. Because we rely upon the generosity of the community, it can become difficult to sustain the project's goals. Funds are used to purchase packing supplies, some books, and of course, on shipping.
*HISTORY:
The Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project was born in the fall of 1995. It was housed in a Bloomington Bookstore called Nervous Books. The founder of the project had participated in a similar prison book program in another state and wanted to recreate something similar to serve prisoners in the Midwest. Since its inception, Pages to Prisoners has changed locations several times. From bookstore to basement to bedroom, Pages has remained fundamentally the same. For the past 5 years, Pages to Prisoners continues to share space and 501 (c) 3 non-profit status with Boxcar Books. Although the volunteer base changes from time to time, the interest we serve continues to be that of the prisoners and Pages to Prisoners continues to increase in popularity.
*OUR MEETING TIMES:
Mondays 7 - 9 pm (during the school year only)
Thursdays 7- 11 pm
Sundays 2 - 5 pm
*MEETINGS are held in our space we share with Boxcar Books at:
310A S. Washington Street • Bloomington, IN 47401
*FOR MORE INFORMATION:
(812)339-8710
www.pagestoprisoners.org
[email protected]
