Join us for an affordable art auction! Donated work from local artists and pieces from the Contexts Collection by Artists in Prison will be available for bidding. Carrot cake, vegan cupcakes, and cider will also be for sale. All proceeds benefit Books Through Bars.
Sunday, November 2, 7pm, 4722 Baltimore Ave. Philadelphia

You can now download the PDF version of our recently published Fall 2008 newsletter. If you’d like to receive a print copy of the newsletter, email info[at]booksthroughbars.org.

Thanks to everyone that made the 2008 pack-a-thon a Success! On May 18th, we spent the entire day sending free books to 250 individual prisoners and 5 prison libraries.  Pledges collected by volunteers paid for all of these packages to be sent, with money left over to help with postage costs throughout the coming year.  Special thanks to Whole Foods South Street and Abbraccio Restaurant, who donated delicious food for our dedicated volunteers!

On May 11th, postage rates increased yet again. An average 3lb book package will now cost us 22 cents more to mail. Over the course of a year, this will raise our mailing costs by approximately $900. Please make a contribution to help us offset this expense.

You can now download the PDF version of our recently published newsletter, which includes a report of the obstacles prisoners face when trying to access educational materials. If you’d like to recieve a print copy of the newsletter, email info@booksthroughbars.org.

Barbara Hirshkowitz, a long-time leader of Books Through Bars, passed away in March. We are planting a tree in front of our office to honor her lifelong commitment to peace and social justice. Join us on Sunday, November 11th at noon for the planting and to view a selection of artwork from the Contexts Collection by Artists in Prison.

Supporters of Books Through Bars are forming a team for the Dash for Democracy 5K run/walk on November 3, 2007. The team with the most participants will win $2000 for their organization, so join us! Email info@booksthroughbars.org to get instructions for registering. To learn more about the dash for democracy, visit www.dashfordemocracy.org

We’d like to acknowledge all the volunteers, donors, and local businesses that supported the Pack-a-Thon on May 12. Special thanks go out to Abbraccio Restaurant, the White Dog Cafe, Vientiane Cafe, and Incredibly Edible Delites for their donations of delicious food and prizes.

Barbara Hirshkowitz, a leader of Books Through Bars for many years, passed away on March 2nd. Among her many contributions to BTB, Barbara was the curator of the Contexts Collection of art by prisoners and a top fundraiser.
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A selection from Books Through Bars’ Contexts Collection of Art by Prisoners will be on display throughout March at Kaffa Crossing Cafe, 4423 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.
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Books Through Bars has created an interactive map showing prison book programs in the US and Canada, including contact information. Check it out, and get involved with a prison book program near you!