Since its founding in 1973, The Prison Library Project has grown into a sizable volunteer organization with a distinct vision and identity. The purpose of the Project is to supply books free of charge to any inmate who requests them. We try to provide an ongoing invitation to prisoners to embrace personal responsibility, growth, and a deeper appreciation for the world of books, ideas, and education.

Last year alone the Project sent over 30,000 books to individual in prisons all over the United States. Each week the Project receives about 200 letters, some from inmates who are writing for the first time and others who have written to us for several years. The books are for inmates to keep and are frequently passed on to other inmates or prison libraries.

The Prison Library Project is a clearinghouse through which new, used, overstocked, or defective books are donated by publishers, bookstores, and individuals from all over the country. The Project depends entirely on these donations for the reading material we pass on to inmates and other groups.

The Prison Library Project is supported by contributions for both its literature supply and financial needs. In 1994, the operational costs for rent, postage, supplies, etc. exceeded $28,000 and annual costs continue to rise. The Prison Library Project is a non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible.

The prison Library Project continues to grow and to gain attention, world wide. We have expanded our services to include recovery groups, homes for abused women and children, and veterans. In June, 1990, the Project received a commendation from the County of Los Angeles in recognition of its contributions and service.

Only with ongoing support can The Prison Library Project continue to exist and meet the ever increasing requests from inmates and other groups in their search for new direction and purpose.