San Quentin residents helped to raise children’s literacy rates by sending out books.
At the Kids’ Summer Reading Book Fair in May, hundreds of San Quentin Rehabilitation Center residents chose free books to send to their loved ones.
The genres of donated books available included graphic novels, picture books, BIPOC (bi-racial indigenous people of color) books, Spanish language books, and science and educational activity books, which were the most popular. The event aimed to supply titles that would appeal to young readers of the three age groups of 4–15.
Customers of Bay Area bookstores Copperfield’s and Book Passage donated the books to the non-profit organization Friends of San Quentin Library, prompted by signs in the stores. The 1,100 donated books surpassed the previous book fair that had approximately 900 books sent out by San Quentin residents.
At the event, library clerks handed out instruction sheets to each resident that provided a step-by-step process for sending their selections to their loved ones. The residents also filled out survey questionnaires about their experiences and suggestions for future book fairs.
San Quentin librarian Charlotte Sanders, who helped organize the event, said that San Quentin’s refocus toward rehabilitation has helped make events like this possible. “We have seen new changes, and a new perspective from the officers that’s more supportive,” she said. “They see the library as something that is beneficial for the residents.”
Four other volunteer librarians assisted the residents in choosing and locating the right books. “Reading is an educational and healthy outlet for fathers and their children,” said volunteer Francesca Bell.
Natalie Atwright, a librarian at the San Francisco Public Library, said she saw volunteering at San Quentin as an extension of her work there, since “at the library, I do re-entry work with former prisoners.”
Resident Bobby Armendariz said he felt blessed to have the opportunity to share books with his family after being incarcerated for 21 years. “This opportunity helps them feel that they aren’t forgotten about,” he said. “Grampa still loves them. The connection of picking out a personalized book for them is amazing.”
―Justin Wharton, Journalism Guild Writer, contributed to this story
