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Resources for Correctional Libraries: Book Donations

Resources for Book Donations

Books Behind Bars

Provides a list of prisons that accept books. Please send books directly to the prison.

Books Inside

Collects, processes, and hand picks titles for used book distribution to prison libraries around the country

Books through Bars

Check website for current needs, but usually trade skills, puzzle books, dictionaries, instructional art, etc.

Books to Prisoners

Books to Prisoners is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that mails free books to incarcerated individuals across the United States.

Chicago Books to Women in Prison

An all-volunteer group that distributes paperback books free of charge to incarcerated people nationwide, focusing on all women and trans/non-binary people. 

Freedom Reads

An organization that assists correctional libraries by sending books

Inside Books Project

Based in Austin, TX. Most in need of dictionaries, African American Studies, graphic novels, books on the trades, test prep, games and puzzles, writing resources, etc.

LGBT Books to Prisoners

Seeking softcover English dictionaries, almanacs,books in Spanish for native speakers, LGBTQ materials, contemporary fiction,or funds to help with distribution costs.

Prison Book Program

Accepts book donations by mail, but strongly encourages considering donating books to one of its sister “books to prisoners” programs (linked on their website) that may be geographically closer.

UC Books To Prisoners

An organization located in Urbana, Il that sends books to incarcerated individuals.

Women's Prison Book Project

Since 1994, the Women’s Prison Book Project (WPBP) has provided women and transgender persons in prison with free reading materials covering a wide range of topics from law and education (dictionaries, GED, etc.) to fiction, politics, history, and women’s health.

Looking Up the Fair Market Value of a Book

Needing to look up a price for a book? AbeBooks is a possible site to help you locate a price of a used/new book. This is an alternative to Amazon.