By Terrell J. Marshall, Staff Writer
Usually, the small San Quentin Rehabilitation Center library is full of incarcerated people quietly reading, doing legal work, or researching a school project.
The non-profit organization Friends of San Quentin Library disrupted the typically tranquil setting when it offered residents an opportunity to pick out books and send them home to their loved ones free of charge.
“My six-year-old son reads to me on the phone all the time,” said resident Rick Namey, 48. “He’s into dinosaurs and space, so I picked one titled ‘Dinosaur Stories.’ Truly this is a gift for us both.”
While excited voices of dads, grandpas, brothers, and uncles echoed off the walls, San Quentin’s Head Librarian Gabriel Loiederman talked about the contribution of FOSQL. The nonprofit fosters the vitally important positive connection between incarcerated people and families through literacy and storytelling.
In total, 1,100 books were placed in 350 packages, labeled, wrapped, weighed, and stamped “postage paid,” by SQ library staff and then shipped to recipients.
“Library Larry” Ryzak, 72, incarcerated 40 years, works in the prison’s library. He said it’s a lot of work to sort, display and process that many books, but the excitement he hears from residents about the selection they have made for their child makes it all worthwhile.
“A lot of folks in prison struggle and don’t have money to buy gifts for their family. I know how it feels, I’ve been there,” said Ryzak. “Trust me; what’s happening here is not just for the kids. It’s also a gift for the dads.”
The collaborative effort of San Quentin library staff, FOSQL, and Copperfield’s Books in Larkspur, California, San Quentin’s nearest bookstore, helps families stay connected.
Founder of FOSQL, Kristi Kenney, said the goal of the nonprofit is to open the SQ library to the larger community, and nurture a connection between the public, incarcerated people, and their families through the joy of reading.
Kenney said the prison’s neighboring townspeople and Copperfield’s Books is who provided the opportunity to stay connected through literacy. “People in Larkspur bought and donated all the books you see here today,” Kenney said.
Eagerly browsing the vast selection on display, resident Bobby Armendariz, 53, wanted to make just the right choice for his seven-and eight-year-old granddaughters.
“They love the books I send home,” said Armendariz as he reached into his backpack and pulled out a picture. “This is my granddaughter showing off the books I’ve sent her,” he said of the photo of a little girl seated next to a coffee table covered with books.
Books chosen included general non-fiction, early readers, craft activity, teen chapter, Spanish, sports, graphic novels, middle-grade chapter books and a dozen other categories.
Resident Cesar Vallejo, 52, picked out a “Disney Princess” book to send to his wife who babysits his four-year-old niece. Vallejo said his niece is on the autism spectrum and the books he chose have bright illustrations his wife can use to help the child’s progression.
Vallejo also chose an “Atlas of Lost Kingdoms,” for his eight-year-old nephew, a book that will help him discover mystical lands, lost cities, and vanished kingdoms.
“His dream is to become an astronaut, and these books will help expand his imagination,” Vallejo said while admiring the large hardcover atlas.
Mingling amongst the crowd, volunteer Pam Franklin helped guide residents through the book genres and age-group selections.
“I’ve seen tears in the eyes of some off the men picking out books,” Franklin said. “It means the world for them to be able to send something home to their family.”
Resident Rick Hernandez, 62, picked out two books for his great granddaughter: one filled with illustrations of puppies and the other titled, “A Childs First Bible.”
“I hope she sticks with it,” Hernandez said while holding the book. “Now she can say my grandpa gave me my first Bible, and hopefully one day we can read it together.”