It is the first big project for the John Howard Society in North Bay.
The organization, which provides support and advocacy for prisoners, still doesn’t yet have a location in North Bay.
This week, however, it started work towards its first project: a library at the district jail.
The John Howard’s Sara Berghammer says it began with a training session with new volunteers.
“As a volunteer what the expectations are of doing work in the library, some of the protocols we use at the John Howard Society in Sudbury. So essentially the do’s and don’ts , some things to be aware of, and if there are any problems or concerns how to deal with those, who to speak to and that kind of stuff. We also spoke of confidentiality and the importance of maintaining confidentiality as a volunteer in the jail. “
Volunteers were also given a tour of the jail to get a better handle on the facility’s policies and protocols.
The training was just the first step; however, as Berghammer admits she has a lot of work to do over the next month to get a library up and running.
“Just ironing out the details, going in to the jail, finding out exactly where our books will be stored, that type of stuff. The type of content and material we can bring in. Hopefully we can start to get in regularly beginning in January. “
What the Society is not yet ready for, is books.
Until it can be clear on what is and is not allowed in the jail in the way of books, and until there can be an established library area, Berghammer says John Howard will not be conducting a book drive, yet.
“We have been very fortunate in that some of the volunteers have agreed to store some books at their place. But ultimately I think it would be best to have just one location where the books are kept where volunteers can access. And we’ll speak again to that once we know exactly what’s going on in the jail and the content of the books that we can have and all that kind of stuff. “
However, Berghammer says at some point, John Howard will be reaching out to the community to help with some sort of a book drive.
That way, volunteers and community members can help out a generally forgotten group.
