[Bookstoprisoners] Re: Books to Prisoners Jail Library Project

[Jenny Putman]

Jay Schubert wrote:

> All,
>
> Thank you for your quick responses.  As I expected, it will be 
> difficult to accomodate everyones availability.  Based on your 
> responses, Thursday 9/15 at 2:00 allows for the maximum number (at 
> least five of us) to participate in the load-in.  Please note - there 
> will still be plenty of opportunities to participate and shape this 
> project after this meeting, for those who can not make this time, I 
> apologize for the short notice and in the future will give more warning.
>
> Nancy - please let us know if this time and date works for you.
>
> - Jay
>
> On 9/3/05, *Jay Schubert* <jay.schubert at gmail.com 
> <mailto:jay.schubert at gmail.com>> wrote:
>
>
>     Radical Librarians,
>
>     The time has come to execute our plan for building libraries in
>     our jails!  When some of us met in the spring, we discussed the
>     opportunities we have to do some very important outreach by
>     bringing media into our local county jails, which began to produce
>     some amazing visions for what is possible.  UC books to prisoners
>     has been working all summer to collect donations from our
>     community and  carefully select the first 1,000 books to be placed
>     in the Champaign County Jails, we are now ramping-up to the
>     project kick-off event.
>
>      *We have the books.  We have the Sheriff's cooperation. We have
>     an awesome concept.  All we need to make it happen now is YOU!*
>
>     	
>
>     You are invited to participate in making books accessible to the
>     members of our community who are incarcerated locally.  As a
>     volunteer, you will be paired with a librarian from our community
>     as you work face to face with inmates while staffing the library
>     we have built for them in the down town Urbana jail. 
>
>     It is our hope that we can count on volunteers to make a single
>     2-4 hour on-site staffing commitment once per month, allowing us
>     to provide weekly library services at the jail. 
>
>     The only requirements for participation, as a volunteer with the
>     county are that you be at least 21 years of age and have no
>     history of felony convictions.
>
>     The Load-In
>     This will be a great opportunity to see the Books to Prisoners
>     sorting facility, help transport the books to the jail and shelve
>     them, while getting to know the other participants as well as
>     contribute to the decisions we will make about policy.  We need to
>     choose a day / time to transport the 1,000 books we have selected
>     for the jail (boxed by category) from the IMC to the library, hold
>     a meeting there to discuss staffing /  lending system / security
>     concerns and how we all fit into the picture and conclude by
>     shelving the books.
>
>     How you can participate
>     The jail wants these books as soon as possible.  So the load-in
>     will event will likely happen within the next 2 weeks!  We want to
>     accommodate everyone's schedule who is interested in being
>     involved so _please email me with your **three** best date / times
>     in the next 2 weeks to participate in this load-in_.  We will
>     attempt to schedule and structure the activities so that you can
>     participate in the key activities during your lunch break on the
>     chosen day (20 minutes to transport and a minimum of 40 minutes to
>     meet).  If you can stay longer, we will be shelving the books
>     after the meeting.  Please look at your calendar right now and let
>     me know your date / time preference.  Even if you can not
>     participate in the load-in, you are invited to become a volunteer
>     and we'd like to hear from you (including people who have
>     previously indicated an interest – we'd like confirmation that
>     you're still on board).
>
>     You are also welcome to contact me with any questions / concerns.
>     I look forward to hearing from you!
>
>     Jay Schubert
>
>     217-721-7419
>
>     Jay.schubert at gmail.com <mailto:Jay.schubert at gmail.com>
>
>
>     -- 
>     - Jay 
>
>
>
>
> -- 
> - Jay
>
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>  
>
Thank you all for your sustaining effort and effective work!
I'll ask for Thurs, Sept 15 as a day off work, so I can help load in. 
(My walker can serve as a dolly.)

In casual conversations with Sheriff Walsh, he has asked about who will 
go through the books (page by page) to check for contraband. Books do 
present the opportunity to conceal, say, a razor blade. It's possible 
the Sheriff has volunteers to assist with this task. One of us could ask 
whether he would trust us to do it.

I want to respect his concern. (Presently, he is very busy finalizing 
plans for  a dozen deputies to travel to our Gulf neighbors, so I may be 
unable to contact him  immediately.)  More soon, Jen


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