Book clubs are social gatherings for the literary-minded, providing a space to discuss literature, share insights, and enjoy discussion with fellow readers. However, within the confines of a correctional facility, a book club can be much more than just a leisure activity. Book clubs can serve as a bridge between inmates and the outside world. They become a transformative tool that fosters rehabilitation, education, and emotional well-being among inmates. It also promotes critical thinking and reflection, builds communication skills, and fosters a sense of purpose and belonging. Books often reflect real-world issues and challenges, allowing inmates to stay connected to societal developments and current cultural topics. Furthermore, book clubs often involve external volunteers or facilitators fostering positive interactions with members of the community and breaking down the barriers of stigma and exclusion.
For nearly two years, the Mississippi Library Commission has partnered with the Mississippi Humanities Council to bring book clubs to Mississippi prisons. As the point person for MLC on this project, I started facilitating book clubs at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, with two separate units. We read all three books in the March trilogy by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, and Nate Powell. I now meet bimonthly with ladies at the recently reopened Delta Correctional Facility in Greenwood. Before we meet, I choose a theme or genre and suggest several books that fit under that umbrella. The women vote on which one they want to read and the Mississippi Humanities Council (MHC) provides the books. (Yes, book club members get to keep the books!) We read each book over a period of several weeks and meet several times to discuss characters, plot, and more. When we're finished, the book club members complete one or two writing exercises and a program evaluation for both MLC and MHC.
To watch someone open up and interact with their peers about a book after sitting quietly in book club for weeks... To hear a teenager talk about how much it means to have someone take the time to visit when even their parents don't come... To awaken a love of books and literature in the lives of people who weren't necessarily readers before or who though they wouldn't have access while incarcerated... I can 1000% attest that being a part of these individuals’ lives has transformed me just as much as the book clubs have benefited the participants. This project is now a part of MLC's five year plan, because it very much aligns with our mission: We are committed – through leadership, advocacy, and service – to strengthening and enhancing libraries and library services for all Mississippians. I'm proud to be a part of this and I can only hope that the project will thrive and grow.
No comments:
Post a Comment