Revolutionary Reads: Beyond Books Behind Bars—An Intro to Institutional Library Services in WA (Online)

Library and information services contribute to thriving communities, but what about people removed from their communities? There are more than 15,000 people, including children as young as 12, incarcerated in Washington prisons and juvenile rehabilitation facilities. For more than 50 years the Washington State Library has provided library services in prisons and psychiatric hospitals, and just recently expanded their services to Echo Glen Children’s Center. Join three librarians from the Institutional Library Services program as they share their experience working inside and what it is like to be members of the communities that exist behind bars.

Click on the following link at the time of the event: Zoom Link. You will need a computer, tablet or phone with a camera and microphone.

Need a reminder? Click on the "Remind Me" clock button above and enter your email or select the "Add to My Calendar" feature.

Revolutionary Reads is an annual community reads program with the goal of galvanizing the SW Washington community to read the same book on a topic of revolutionary importance. Revolutionary is defined as “involving or causing a complete and dramatic change” and/or “radically new or innovative; outside or beyond established procedure, principles, etc.”

In partnership with The Foundation Washington, 2024’s program focuses on the challenge of reentry into society following incarceration. This program will explore the experiences of individuals reintegrating into community upon release. 

Free copies of the book FREE: Two Years, Six Lives and the Long Journey Home by Lauren Kessler, will be available at all FVRLibraries locations in March 2024 (eBook also available on Overdrive). FREE won the 2023 Oregon Book Award for Nonfiction and the 2023 Nautilus Silver Award for Criminal Justice.  

The Foundation Washington’s mission is to restore and prepare. The Foundation Washington is the stepping stones the youth can use to rise into their greatness and the landing zone reintegrating individuals can lean on upon release. Learn more about The Foundation Washington at https://www.thefoundationwa.org/.

Revolutionary Reads is made possible by generous support from The FVRL Foundation. Visit their website: https://fvrlfoundation.org/.