Club Collecting Books for Prison Library Project
They collected thousands of books for prison inmates during the 2013-14 school year. Now the University of La Verne College Republican Club is hoping to keep up the pace by gathering hundreds more by December.
La Verne’s second annual book drive supports the Claremont Forum’s “Prison Library Project,” which addresses issues of literacy, personal responsibility and growth by sending quality books to inmates nationwide.
“The ULV College Republicans hope to continue this effort as an on-going service project, as the need is great and has made a meaningful difference in the lives of inmates and their families across the U.S.,” said Dr. Constance Rossum, faculty advisor for the club.
La Verne set out to collect 1,000 books in its first year holding a drive in support of the project. Not only did the club reach its goal, it nearly doubled it with donations from faculty, staff, students and other contributors. The group gave nearly 2,000 books to the project in June.
Rossum hopes the University gathers another 500 books by Dec. 31.
“We are well on our way, as the ULV Regional Campus Faculty and Staff have volunteered to collect books as well and we are thrilled to have their support,” Rossum said.
She credits the project’s success with the fact it mirrors La Verne’s core values of effective community service and civic engagement.
The project is needed due to reduced funding for education and rehabilitation programs in the prison system, including prison libraries. The Prison Library Project receives more than 300 letters per week from inmates requesting books. The group mails more than 22,000 books, magazines and audio tapes to individuals, prison libraries, recovery centers and women’s shelters throughout the country for free.
Some books are sold in the Prison Library Project’s bookstore in Claremont and at the Farmer’s Market to help pay for postage, which averages $500 a week.
La Verne’s collection site is in the Wilson Library, 2040 Third St., La Verne. Rossum said the club plans to make weekly deliveries to the project.
New or gently-used books that are especially needed include dictionaries, thesauruses, blank journals, Korans, Torahs, Bibles and self –help and inspirational books. Soduku, crossword and word game books, along with best sellers, black, Latino and Native American history and Spanish language books are also popular.
