Frequently Asked Questions

  • Everything—we are 100% volunteer-run! First time volunteers receive an orientation to our work and then typically work on picking out books or preparing book packages. Returning and long-time volunteers do everything from organizing our library to fundraising to calling prisons to understand restrictions. Check out our volunteer page for more information.

  • The top ways to get involved are to donate books, volunteer with us, and/or support our work. If you have something else in mind, feel free to contact us.

  • Nope! The books we provide are free and we send them to anyone who asks, providing they are in the region we serve and the prison accepts books. To request books for someone inside, write us a letter.

  • See our contact page for instructions about how to request books.

  • If your area is not served by an existing books to prison program, feel free to get in touch with us for advice on starting a program.

  • Our only physical location is in Philadelphia, but we serve Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. Go to https://prisonbookprogram.org/prisonbooknetwork/ for a full list of books to prison programs in the U.S.

  • We are sometimes able to fulfill requests for boxes of books from prison libraries, education programs, and halfway houses in the Mid-Atlantic region. We will only send books to libraries or programs at facilities that also accept packages from us sent to individuals incarcerated there.

    To request a box of books, please email us at info@booksthroughbars.org with the following information:

    • Your position (e.g., librarian, chaplain, educator)

    • The prison and number of incarcerated people you serve

    • Primary needs (e.g., books in a particular content area for a program, books to start a library, books to supplement current offerings, subject matter, any restrictions, etc.)

    • If the prison is NOT located in the greater Philadelphia area, ability to contribute postage costs

    • If the prison is located in the greater Philadelphia area, can you arrange for the books to be picked up at our office?