Books Beyond Bars is seeking a temporary Programming and Event Coordinator based in the Halifax Regional Municipality to assist with our library programs and public outreach.
Books Beyond Bars is a volunteer-run collective based in Halifax that goes into the women’s section of the Central Nova Scotia Correctional Facility in Burnside twice monthly to improve access to books, writing, and literature to incarcerated women.
Since 2005 Books Beyond Bars has and continues to:
- Distribute books and writing journals in a book exchange program,
- Collect writing, artwork and poetry for a zine, and now a book, called Words Without Walls,
- Offer a “Read Aloud” program in which we tape record women inside reading children’s books and then send the book and tape to their children outside,
- Organize writing and poetry workshops, both at Burnside and the Nova Institute for Women in Truro.
Books Beyond Bars operates with the belief that the prison system is fundamentally flawed. Sending women to prison does not support people in dealing with the issues that led to their incarceration: poverty, abuse, racism, addiction, etc. We visit the women’s prisons in Nova Scotia to break down barriers between women who are caught in an unjust system and those of us on the outside involved with prison justice issues.
Job Responsibilities
- Assist with organizing books and other materials in our Library, including re-shelving books, labelling books using our identification system, and tidying the space.
- Assist with packing books and book requests for our twice monthly library program.
- Post book requests from incarcerated women to social media, and help to coordinate donations.
- Work with members of the collective to organize a public event or project in support of Prisoner Justice Day (August 10, 2019).
- Coordinate planning and logistics for a book sale event including determining a date, coordinating book donations, promoting the sale, and creating a schedule for the day of.
- Participate in collective meetings, and provide input into programming and decisions.
Qualifications
This position provides an opportunity both to gain experience working with an established prisoner justice collective and undertake more self-directed projects. The ideal candidate for this position will be interested in prisoner justice work and be comfortable working independently.
Experience with event planning and logistics would be considered a major asset.
A valid driver’s licence would be an asset but not required.
People who have previously been incarcerated, or have other experiences in the justice system are encouraged to apply. Books Beyond Bars also encourages people from marginalized communities to apply, including people who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour, African Nova Scotian, disabled, two-spirit, queer, trans, or single parents. Applicants can identify in their cover letter.
Funding Requirements
This job is being offered through the Canada Summer Jobs program. Applicants must be between 15 and 30.
Term and Compensation
This is an approximately 8 week term position, at $404.25 per week.
How To Apply
Email resume and cover letter to booksbeyondbars@gmail.com by the updated deadline of June 10, 2019.
Books Beyond Bars 