Update from the 3Rs Carbondale Chapter

Carbondale 3R's (Reading Reduces Recidivism) Project Update 

On August 20th, volunteers helped restock the 3R's book room at First Christian Church with dozens of boxes of books from the Friends of the Sallie Logan Library in Murphysboro. Carbondale 3R's is thankful for these books and is also very appreciative of the donation of this space by Pastor Katherine Graves. 

This summer, staff from 3 correctional facilities visited the library and book room in Carbondale to choose reading materials. On August 25th, The Illinois Youth Center-Harrisburg chose19 boxes of books; on August 28th, Vienna Correctional Center received 13 boxes of books, and on September 2nd, Big Muddy Correctional Center obtained 20 boxes of books. The 3R's program has also reached out to 3 more correctional centers in Vandalia, Vienna, and Pinckneyville with plans to provide reading materials.

In a recent thank you letter to the 3R's program, a prisoner named Thomas wrote that a donation of library books is “likely the single most consequential treasure we can receive...Only by this generous relief are we reminded there is still, through your kindness and humanity, choices and thereby…hope.”  

Volunteers are always welcome to help on the day correctional center staff visit Carbondale. If you wish to donate books to the 3R's program, please donate the books to the Carbondale Public Library. Correctional center staff are able to choose desired books after the library's book sale from the remaining stock. Books and magazines are also chosen from the 3R's book room at First Christian Church.Donations of very sturdy bookcases for the book room and 2014 magazines would be appreciated. Persons interested in becoming liasons to correctional librarians are also needed. Contact MJ at drmjsmerken@hotmail.com for more information.