I’ve been an IBP donor since late 2011, but I’ve not done things traditionally. Fortunately, IBP has been flexible and willing to find unique ways to get more books into the hands of those who need them, and they have been a great partner for someone like me.
Coming from a non-profit background, I knew I wanted to partner with an organization that allowed me to choose projects that fit three criteria:
I wanted books delivered to organizations I’d already established personal connections with.
I wanted to cover the donations for those projects by fundraising independently from friends and family.
I wanted to raise awareness for literacy issues.
My involvement with IBP began with an initial plan to send one pallet of books to Touch A Life Foundation in Ghana, West Africa, because I worked for TAL for two years and knew their need for books. (Read more about that story here.) After that, I decided that whatever happened next, I’d just say “yes.”
The first shipment turned into two shipments to Ghana. The third shipment went to an Abbey in Nigeria because of my connections with the Abbey of Gethsemani in Central Kentucky. The fourth shipment went from nuns in Kansas to nuns in Nigeria because they’d heard I could ship books. Somehow, donations from friends and family continued to cover the cost of each shipment, which averaged about $1000 each. Then a strange thing happened. As I continued to say “yes,” doors began to open in directions I hadn’t expected.
Because of my work in West Africa, I thought my shipments would continue in that direction. Instead, something much closer to home showed up on my radar and wouldn’t let me go.
Through a series of events beginning with an article I wrote March 28, 2014, I found myself looking less to Africa and more to literacy problems right here, specifically, to the literacy rates in American prisons. Between 69%- 85% of America’s prison population is illiterate, and the more I thought about this the more I wanted to do something.
In May of this year, I met with IBP about my idea: what if we could get additional books into US prisons? Could we make a small impact with a little bit of legwork and not very much money?
After making a series of phone calls and making the right connections and appointments, I toured three Kentucky prisons and met with wardens, deputy wardens, and inmates. I was thrilled to see that the libraries were beautifully stocked. Yet one thing recurred during each visit: the segregation units—also known as solitary confinement—needed carts of books for inmates.
The more I thought about this, the more determined I became in getting books into solitary. I thought of all the reasons I like to read: for peace, for enjoyment and entertainment, to learn and study, and to escape. Why shouldn’t those that need those very things have the opportunity to read? I not only got the approval from wardens for this idea, but their enthusiasm. IBP agreed, and even let me “shop” to handpick the books to go to the first segregation unit on my list, The Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in Oldham County. I personally packed three boxes of fiction, poetry, essays, history, and delivered them to the prison. Two more segregation units in two Kentucky prisons will get books for book carts from IBP in December.
And the cost? A little bit of sweat equity and some miles on my car, but otherwise, this donation was one of time and energy instead of money. And between IBP and me, we were still able to make a difference.
I’ve learned over the past few years that there are lots of ways to make a difference when you don’t have a lot of resources. IBP needs volunteers to sort and stack books just as they need donors to fund shipments. For me, a little bit of creative thinking went a long way in getting books into the hands of those who need them.
And what about West Africa? Hopefully, we have another shipment of books going to Nigeria this quarter (and you can help by donating to IBP to “Susan’s Projects.”) I’m still collecting children’s books in Texas to deliver to IBP in December. The prison project, as I’ve come to call it, is expanding into a potential creative writing workshop lead by Kentucky writers and poets (if you are interested in volunteering to teach, please contact me!)
There are so many ways to give, and so many ways to serve. IBP is a great partner to allow you to do both. As giving expands, so do new ideas of ways to help. Why not be a part of it?
Susan Ishmael-Poulos is a long-time supporter and friend of the International Book Project. For more information about Susan or her projects you can contact her at susanpishmael@gmail.com.