Volunteer at the Prison Library Project
The Prison Library Project (PLP) is a volunteer initiative sponsored by the Claremont Forum. Volunteers collaborate to send thousands of books to incarcerated adults across the nation, working out of the Claremont Forum Bookshop in the Packing House.
For more information or to get involved, contact us at 909-626-3066 or reach out to our volunteer coordinator, Sydney, at sydney@claremontforum.org. You also sign up online by following the link below.
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Our volunteers are welcome
Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 AM - 5 PM
What Do PLP Volunteers Do?
Reading Letters
Incarcerated adults from across the country write to the PLP requesting books and educational resources. Volunteers read each letter and highlight what types of books the inmate might like to read.
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Pulling Books
Volunteers browse the shelves of our Bookshop to find the best match for each letter.
Volunteers who have a good knowledge of books are needed for this task.
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Mailing
Once books have been selected, volunteers wrap and label the books for mailing.
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Other Jobs
We can always use volunteers to help sort donated books. We also have other projects that come up - such as research or sending cards and information to individual prisoners.
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Volunteer Requirements
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Volunteers must be 16+ years old. Younger volunteers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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Volunteers are most successful if they have a high school reading level (or higher)
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Volunteers must be comfortable reading letters from people who are in prison.
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Volunteers must respect the confidentiality of those who write to the PLP.
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Volunteers must be able to come during set volunteer days (Tuesdays and Wednesdays). We may not be able to accommodate other days or times.
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Volunteers must have a respectful and willing attitude to help with the various duties and responsibilities given to them by staff and management.
Individuals and Groups
The PLP is a great place for church, student, or other community groups to volunteer. We need to plan ahead to accommodate groups, so having a very advanced notice is helpful, otherwise we may not be able to house your group. Contact our bookstore manager, Mckenna Deluca, at mckenna@claremontforum.org for more information, or with any questions you may have.