12 November
The NZ Society of Authors and Auckland Prison are calling for volunteers to help prepare books for the prison’s library on Saturday 13 November.
The prison library stretches across both east and west divisions of the prison and has around 8,000 items available for prisoners to borrow. The library is provided with donated books from many community sources including members of the New Zealand Society of Authors.
"Books are in hot demand in the prison as a source of entertainment, and also learning, among prisoners who can spend long periods of time confined to their cells,” says Prison Manager Neil Beales.
“Many prisoners have low levels of literacy and numeracy, which can be a barrier to them engaging in rehabilitation programmes or work opportunities. Our job is to encourage prisoners to leave the jail as better men than when they arrived.
“By providing prisoners with appropriate and interesting reading material we can encourage them to seek assistance to improve their literacy levels.”
The volunteer event, dubbed the ‘great cover up’ was organised by library volunteer Suzanne Gee and Grey Lynn library staff. It is to be held at the Grey Lynn Library from 10am – 4.00pm this Saturday. Tea, coffee and snacks will be provided and children are welcome to assist with the work.
Around 450 books need to be stamped, have pockets glued into them and be covered in order to protect them and ensure they have the durability required for circulating within the prison environment.
Donations of books will also be greatly received. Non-fiction, self help, recent fiction, graphic novels and general magazines are all popular loan items.
For further information about ‘the great cover up’ please contact Library Volunteer Sue Gee on 0274 783 086 or by email at suzannegeenz@yahoo.co.nz.
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