About
Books Beyond Bars (BBB) is a group based in the Department of Information Studies at UCLA, bringing literacy outreach services to youth incarcerated at Nidorf Juvenile Detention Facility in Sylmar, in the north San Fernando Valley. Originally known as Nidorf Collective, the group was founded in the 2004-2005 academic year by students interested in young adult library services and social justice.
Nidorf houses approximately 650 children and teens ages 12 to 17. Some stay as little as a couple of weeks, while others are there for years. However long their stay, it is frequently both stressful and very boring. There is no library at Nidorf, and books provide a source of entertainment, distraction and enrichment.
Books Beyond Bars volunteers conduct biweekly visits, in which they talk about books, listen to the youth talk about books, and give books away. Our focus is on recreational reading and bringing titles of high interest, allowing youth the opportunity to exercise free choice and explore individual interests. We are sustained by funding from the UCLA Community Activities Committee and our annual book sale, as well as generous in-kind donations of books from a variety of organizational and individual donors.
Nidorf houses approximately 650 children and teens ages 12 to 17. Some stay as little as a couple of weeks, while others are there for years. However long their stay, it is frequently both stressful and very boring. There is no library at Nidorf, and books provide a source of entertainment, distraction and enrichment.
Books Beyond Bars volunteers conduct biweekly visits, in which they talk about books, listen to the youth talk about books, and give books away. Our focus is on recreational reading and bringing titles of high interest, allowing youth the opportunity to exercise free choice and explore individual interests. We are sustained by funding from the UCLA Community Activities Committee and our annual book sale, as well as generous in-kind donations of books from a variety of organizational and individual donors.