I was curious as to what types of books (and quantities ), preferrably fiction, are available at FPC Bryan? Do they have a lending library? Where do the books come from? I have a lot of books that I was going to trade in at Half Price Books but I thought maybe I could donate them to Bryan, then they would be there when I arrive next year. Also, I've read where you can have books sent to you from Amazon or Barnes and Noble, but that would get expensive real quick. But if I did get some that way, am I allowed to pass them around to others? Donate them to the library?? Just curious as to how all of this works. Tks.

The library at Bryan is about the size of a broom closet and as a very limited selection. As to donating books... Good Question. I would contact the facility directly, however, I do not know if this would be allowed. You may want to send an email via the BOP web site and ask casually if this is possible. i have had good response from tem on my questions.

Keep the Faith

Michael :thumbsup:

Actually, in comparison to the other librbaries in federal prisons, the library in Bryan is rather large. There are tables to sit at and read, a grouping of padded chairs as well.

There is a decent variety of books, from fiction, mystery, romance, and even classics. They have a great program there that allows inmates to ask for specific books from teh Austin Public Library. You fill out a form, and in a week or so, your book arrives. People are great about donating their books to the library when they leave. There are also newspapers and magazines as well.

Actually I was in Bryan myself, and the library there is not bad. As CJ said, there is a fairly decent sized regular library with a fairly good selection of fiction books, and an attached law library that has a pretty good selection for research. They also have the interloan library where you can get new releases, etc., and a variety of newspapers that come in on a daily basis, and plenty of mags.

I have to agree. The library is pretty decent. As far as donating books. You can send them to yourself in the mail or have someone send them to you but you can donate them once you are there.

When I was in Bryan they had a limit to the amount of books and magazines you could keep in your locker so once books from the outside are read, they are passed around. I'm currently sending a book or two per week into Bryan to PTO members I correspond with.

There is also a rather large Chapel library at Bryan.

There is also a limit per DAY that you can receive books or magazines. You'e now allowed to get in 5 magazines or books per day TOTAL. My family, every week for 3 years, sent me a Priority Mail package with all the good celeb mags (People, Us, Star, etc.). I do know that there is no limit to the subscription magazines you can receive at any given time. It's definitely cheaper to do that than to spend $4 a week on magazines.

I send a package of crochet patterns and a really long letter to my best friend up in Bryan twice a week so she'll have mail. Believe it or not, we really love to hear about the boring things in the outside world!

CatherineP

That is a great idea about sending patterns in anything new is wonderful. I also like to send patterns for the plastic needlework, especially baby totes and picture frames. The women are very creative and enjoy making gifts for their family on the outside.