Clark County residents and their friends from around the Miami Valley have an opportunity to clean off the book shelves at home or stop by the local thrift store to purchase a few paperbacks for the Clark County Jail Library Reading Drive.
The library at the jail is managed by Dr. Barbara Matthies, a retired English Professor who spent her 30 year career at the University of Iowa. She is a volunteer at United Senior Services with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
Matthies began working with the library at the jail three years ago. This year she made some changes to the hours to better serve the inmate population. By coming in on Sunday mornings, Matthies has met with 1,447 inmates as they visit and select books and magazines.
The jail library can only accept paperback books. A request has been made for any large print copies of Readers Digest that may be available. Some of the inmates do not have corrective lenses and require the large print books and magazines.
Popular authors found on many nightstands or next to the armchair include James Patterson, John Grisham and Janet Evanovich. Also popular are tales from the old west and mysteries that must be solved.
In the area of magazines, the inmates enjoy women’s magazines, sports, mechanics and science. Some also enjoy keeping up with their favorite Comic Book characters.
If you can help, simply put your books and magazines into a paper or plastic bag and drop them at United Senior Services located at 101 S. Fountain Avenue or at the Public Safety Building located at 120 N. Fountain Avenue in the main lobby. If you have a large number of books, contact the Sheriff at 521-2057 and arrangements will be made for a Deputy to stop by and pick them up.
Remember, the books need to be in good condition and you are always welcome to purchase books at the local thrift store if you don’t have any at home. Reading helps to make the hours go faster and brings joy and many times new understanding to those who open the pages of a book. The drive will end on August 1, 2016.
