We are accepting individual volunteers that reserve a volunteer slot in advance - you can sign up using the links below. Unfortunately, we have very limited capacity to accommodate volunteer groups at this time. If you are interested in group volunteering opportunities, please email us with a description of your group, the number of people, and whether or not you or others have volunteered with us before.
Volunteer sessions are held at 3106 East 14 1/2 Street in Austin, Texas at the following times:
Every Thursday and Sunday from 6pm to 10pm
If you are new to Inside Books, click here to schedule a time to volunteer. If you have volunteered with us within the last 6 months, click here to schedule your volunteer shift.
Volunteering with Inside Books Project can count towards most community service requirements. Please bring your own forms each time.
Due to the broad range of requests and the difficult topics that may come up in letters from people in prison, we require volunteers be at least 16 years old, or 15 years old with a parent present.
For additional information, please email us at insidebooksproject@gmail.com. You will receive an automated reply that answers most questions about volunteering and donating.
Volunteers open letters from people incarcerated in Texas prisons, select books to best fit the request, and make packages of books to send back to the person who requested them.
The books selected by the volunteers become the personal property of the recipient. Volunteers find this to be rewarding work that helps foster literacy, education, and a sense of connection with people who are behind bars.
Volunteer nights are fun, relaxed, and a great way to meet interesting people and make a real difference!
“The volunteer experience at IBP is one-of-a-kind. With a laid back but passionate staff, a welcoming environment, and a sense of shared purpose, volunteers at IBP are sure to leave knowing they made a difference in the daily life of Texas’ least looked-after population. The work that you guys do is important on so many levels! Books change lives; even those who no longer have freedom can choose to create their own through knowledge made available by IBP.”
“I volunteer because it’s fun, it’s a way to help people most in need and you can find some good books to buy and help more books get sent! There’s always an interesting conversation about the books donated or interesting requests, and everyone that comes is super friendly. Every once and a while you get a really tear jerking letter - I heard of a man who hadn’t been touched non-violently in 15 years and was so thankful. It’s good to know that IBP is there for this man to help ease his suffering when the rest of society wants to forget him.”