What to Donate for Correctional Services

At Correctional Services we find the reading interests of inmates reflect those of patrons in our branch libraries. The following is a breakdown of some of the most requested genres, titles, and authors by inmates at Rikers Island.

Paperback books for which we have a consistent need:

Popular Fiction
James Patterson, Lee Child, Stieg Larsson, John Grisham, Jeff Deaver, Dean Koontz, Stephen King (Dark Tower Series, Witch Wizard Series), etc.

Urban Lit
Triple Crown Published books, Ashley & JaQuavis, Wahida Clark, Deja King, Nikki Turner, Zane, Noire, Teri Woods, Donald Goines, etc.

Vampire & Fantasy Series Books
Wheel of Time series, Games of Thrones series, Stephen King's Dark Tower series, Twilight Series, Beautiful Creatures Series, Anne Rice, Charlane Harris novels, Vampire Huntress, etc.

Classics, Modern Classics & Assignment
Hamlet, Thucydides, Dante, Steinbeck, Toni Morrison, etc.

Education
Current GED workbooks, 2012 computer books, 2010 Microsoft Office, World Almanacs, E-Z Series (Math, Geometry, Algebra), handwriting books, etc.

Young Adult for Women
Sharon Flake, Angela Johnson, etc.

Other subjects/genres of interest:

• Graphic Novels & comic books
• Body building/Weight training/Fitness
• Baby names
• Black Panthers
• Dream Interpretation/Astrology/Tarot
• Hip-Hop biography/history/business
• Biographies: Sports/Music
• Conspiracy Theories: Illuminati/New World Order/UFO
• Automotive industry & repair
• Starting small businesses
• African-American History
• Investment/Personal Finance
• Islamic spiritual/religious books
• Any popular magazines from 2012 & 2013

Items not needed at this time:
Any hardcover books, Romance novels, Classics printed before 2000, Computer/tech books published before 2010

Remember to send only paperback books.

*NOTE: We know that old books are still pure gold to many of us. However, we encourage donors to send us newer books in good shape. This ensures that they will be attractive and interesting on our book carts and shelves, especially to those who are new or hesitant readers.

If you are interested in donating materials, we accept books and magazines through the mail or in person at the Mid Manhattan Library.

Please send books directly to:

Correctional Services
Mid-Manhattan Library, NYPL
attn: Sarah Ball
455 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10016

With further questions about donating or to arrange a drop-off, we are best reached by email. Please email Sarah Ball at sarahball@nypl.org, or call 212.340.0812.

Thank you ever so much for your support.