Friday Report

[adair]

I was in Boston at a Books to Prisoners national conference, the first held in 12 years. No uncluttering got done as I prepared for my first flying experience since the early 90s. Things have changed. The conference was great, and my return flights, alone, gave me time to think about a lot of things, as did the 9 hours overnight at O'Hare because the plane from Boston was late and I missed my connecting flight.

Since my biggest clutter is books I thought off and on about what books I have that I could really donate to BTP or to prison libraries we are currently collecting for. I have begun to rethink the books I keep for reference, or really for re-reading to remind me of issues or statements that I might use in other writing or to development arguments for talking with people about my basic concerns. For instance, I bought White Trash when it was first published, read it and commented on it, and mentally noted that it was particularly strong in how class issues were present from the beginning in US history, including the founders in New England, Virginia and Georgia, and were never really absent from revolutionary thinking. I want to keep the book to check these things should I need to make discussion points. It is hardcover, heavy, and takes up space. When will I really need to make these points? Could I get the ebook and keep that? Might this book not be something a prisoner might like to find in a library? Anyway, it is going into my library-bound box and I will make efforts to get one of the prison librarians to take it when we have a book pickup day.

I hope to make more of these choices as I look through the books on my shelves, or those stored in boxes in the garage. Travel has its benefits on the unclutter front.

Comments

[duskpeterson]

Great idea for a way to pass on books!

[adair]

I have been volunteering at Books to Prisoners and 3Rs, the effort to get needed books into Illinois prison libraries for about 5 years. People want to donate books, but they are not often the right books, the books people want. I am hunting online for cheap copies of popular fantasy series, like Robert Jordan, Jim Butcher and Cassandra Clare. I am also looking for Good self help books. There are tons of them donated, but most written for suburban women. A few of us scrounge for anything that fits the library needs. This is a college town, we get decent social science books, but self-help, neuroscience, complete fantasy series ,dhow to start a small business , textbooks and work books for junior high work, especially math,are very hard to find.

Sorry I went into a whine there. I have been looking over prison library wish liests they sent 3Rs, and getting frustrated. I am beginning to come to terms with letting go of more of my own books, but they mostly do not match the need.

[duskpeterson]

You're trying; that's what's important. :)

[adair]

Thank you. I become distressed when we can’t fill the reasonable needs of our prison libraries; Illinois provides no money for books and supplies. They recently hired more librarians so most of our 28? libraries are open, but with no money to spend.

I sometimes need to be reminded, as you did, that I and 3Rs, are making an effort that helps a little bit. We have also generated some publicity that got attention, and the new governor may manage a little money for some library basics. Thanks again.

[duskpeterson]

"We have also generated some publicity that got attention, and the new governor may manage a little money for some library basics."

That's marvellous!