Prison Libraries: Donating to Prison Libraries
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, in 2015, almost 2.2 million persons were incarcerated in the United States. The American Library Association, through its members, works to provide library services to these persons, as well as their families
Donating to Prison Libraries
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Books Behind BarsProvides a lIst of prisons that accept books. Please send books directly to the prison.
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Books InsideCollects, processes, and hand picks titles for used book distribution to prison libraries around the country
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Books through BarsCheck website for current needs, but usually trade skills, puzzle books, dictionaries, instructional art, etc.
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Books to PrisonersBooks to Prisoners is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that mails free books to incarcerated individuals across the United States.
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Inside Books ProjectBased in Austin, TX. Most in need of dictionaries, African American Studies, graphic novels, books on the trades, test prep, games and puzzles, writing resources, etc.
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LGBT Books to PrisonersSeeking softcover English dictionaries, almanacs,books in Spanish for native speakers, LGBTQ materials, contemporary fiction,or funds to help with distribution costs.
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Prison Book ProgramAccepts book donations by mail, but strongly encourages considering donating books to one of its sister “books to prisoners” programs (linked on their website) that may be geographically closer.
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Women's Prison Book ProjectSince 1994, the Women’s Prison Book Project (WPBP) has provided women and transgender persons in prison with free reading materials covering a wide range of topics from law and education (dictionaries, GED, etc.) to fiction, politics, history, and women’s health.