The George Coon Public Library has partnered with the Caldwell County Jail to bring its Summer Reading Program to inmates.
Jail Administrator and Deputy Jailer Angela Cotton said Rebecca Pool from the local library reached out to see if they would be interested in the program.
click to download audioPool, the Programming Coordinator at the local library, credited Kathy Svoboda with the idea.
click to download audioCotton explained that the library supplies all the materials to the jail free of charge.
click to download audioPool further explained that the program at the jail mirrors the regular Summer Reading Program offered annually for all ages—children, teens, and adults—and includes a reading log and activities.
click to download audioAccording to Cotton, around 20 inmates, or about 50% of the jail’s capacity, are participating in the program which she believes is important because it engages them in reading.
click to download audioPool stated that their goal in offering the Summer Reading Program to inmates is to demonstrate that the library can be a valuable resource for them after their release.
click to download audioPool also expressed her deep gratitude to all the staff at the Caldwell County Jail for their support of this program and for being on board to work with the library. She noted that the Summer Reading Program at the jail runs from June 1st to July 31st, the same timeframe as at the George Coon Public Library. After July 31st, the program concludes, and all entries from the summer are collected for a grand prize drawing.
