December 16, 2021
ICYMI: State Library of Florida Holiday Book Drive
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services, State Library of Florida is pleased to announce its first ever Holiday Book Drive in partnership with the Florida Department of Corrections and the Florida State Hospital. All books received through the drive will be distributed to libraries within correctional facilities throughout the state, as well as to the library within the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee.
“Book donations received through the State Library’s Holiday Book Drive will make a positive impact on the lives of Floridians statewide,” said Secretary of State Laurel M. Lee. “The State Library is honored to collaborate with the Florida Department of Corrections and the Florida Department of Children and Families on this invaluable program.”
“Expanding access to education is a priority for our agency and we appreciate the State Library’s longstanding commitment towards that goal,” said Florida Department of Corrections Secretary Ricky Dixon. “We are pleased to join this interagency partnership.”
“We’re grateful for the State Library for providing books for our patients at Florida State Hospital,” said Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Shevaun Harris. “Part of the rehabilitation process includes enrichment activities, and we are happy that our patients have additional literary options at their disposal.”
Genres commonly requested by patrons of these libraries include popular fiction, fantasy, sci-fi and western. Young adult fiction, graphic novels and comic books are also in demand. Publications relating to health and fitness and career skills are in need, as are books written in Spanish and large print.
Book donations will be collected via a drop box in the main lobby of the R.A. Gray Building at 500 South Bronough St. in Tallahassee, Florida. The lobby will be open for book donations from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays.
For more information about the drive, please visit info.florida.gov/holiday-book-drive or contact the State Library at State.Library@dos.myflorida.com or 850.245.6682.
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As Florida's largest state agency, and the third largest state prison system in the country, FDC employs 24,000 members, incarcerates 80,000 inmates and supervises nearly 146,000 offenders in the community.
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