About Us

​Our Story

 

The Claremont Forum began in 1992, when founding director Rick Moore and a group of volunteers stepped forward to continue the work of the Prison Library Project (PLP). The project originally began in 1973 in Durham, North Carolina, through the efforts of Ram Dass and Bo Lozoff. When the original team completed their mission, Claremont volunteers took the lead and PLP found a new home.

 

In the decades since, the Claremont Forum has grown into a dynamic nonprofit center supporting literacy, wellness, and the arts — always with the Prison Library Project at its heart.

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The Prison Library Project

 

Books change lives. The Prison Library Project provides free books and educational materials to incarcerated individuals across the United States. Each year, we send more than 30,000 books to prisons, jails, and detention centers — often filling requests for titles that friends and family are not allowed to send.

 

We believe in the power of reading to improve literacy, build resilience, and foster personal transformation. Education is a key factor in breaking the cycle of recidivism — and in far too many prisons, books are treated as a privilege instead of a right. PLP exists to bridge that gap.

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Growing Our Mission

 

As the Claremont Forum evolved, so did our commitment to creating spaces that nourish both body and mind. Over the years, our mission has grown beyond books to include programs that build deeper community connections through food, wellness, and the arts.

 

 

The Claremont Forum Farmers Market

 

Held every Sunday in the heart of the Claremont Village, our California Certified Farmers Market offers fresh, locally grown food and specialty goods from small-scale producers. It’s more than a place to shop — it’s a nonprofit marketplace that supports literacy and community health through every purchase.

 

 

Community Wellness Events

 

Throughout the year, we host workshops, lectures, and special events that promote well-being, creativity, and civic engagement. These gatherings bring together artists, educators, health practitioners, and local changemakers to share knowledge and build community.

 

 

The Claremont Forum Bookshop

 

Located in the historic Claremont Packing House, our used bookstore is both a community space and the hub of the Prison Library Project. Volunteers sort and ship book donations from here, and proceeds from book sales help fund postage and materials for the program. Every book you buy helps us send more books to incarcerated readers across the country.

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Looking Ahead

 

We are proud of our first 30 years — and even more committed to the future. With the help of our volunteers, donors, and community partners, we continue to build a nonprofit that fosters opportunity, access, and second chances through the power of books, food, and connection.

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