Volunteer
Books Through Bars is a 100% volunteer-run organization. Our work wouldn't be possible without the time and talent of many folks in our community.
When you volunteer with us, you’ll start with some of our most essential tasks: reading letters from incarcerated people, selecting books from our library to match each request, and preparing those packages for mailing.
If you find yourself wanting to do more, there are lots more ways to get involved, including logging letters, hosting packing sessions, fundraising, organizing our library, and driving to the post office. Talk to a host or shoot us an email to learn more.
We ask all in-person volunteers to wear a mask while in our space. You’re welcome to bring your own, or you can grab one when you arrive.
Ready to get started? Learn about the different ways to volunteer below, then fill out a form to introduce yourself and sign up for an orientation.
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New volunteers can join us at regular orientation sessions. Fill out the individual volunteer form to introduce yourself and select an orientation. Individual volunteers must be at least 18 years old.
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If you’re interested in volunteering to fulfill a court-ordered community service requirement, please fill out the community service form below.
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We love when volunteers return again and again, developing a deeper understanding of our library and the people we serve. After you’ve attended an orientation, you can drop in to any of our regular sessions on Monday and Thursday nights, 6:30–8:30 PM. We also hold a drop-in session on the first Saturday of the month, 11 AM–1 PM. Please do not come to a drop-in session if you haven’t been oriented!
Once volunteers become comfortable with our basic work, they often expand to other needed tasks, such as letter logging, hosting, fundraising, and library organization. If you’ve volunteered at least a dozen times and would like to get more involved, please talk to the host about how to do so!
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When you volunteer as part of a group, you help us knock out a lot of letters, use our hosts' time efficiently, and control the number of people in our space. You don’t have to be an official organization; groups of friends are fine!
We welcome pre-scheduled volunteer groups on Saturdays (typically 11 AM–1 PM or 1:30 PM–3:30 PM). These sessions are often booked well in advance. If you're interested in volunteering with a group, please fill out the group volunteer form below and we’ll reach out to schedule. Groups are limited to 15 people due to space constraints.
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