The organization was founded by Maureen Korte, Celeste Bremer, Two Rivers Story Spinners, and Polk Co. Sherriff?s Office in honor of their friend and former Des Moines Public Library Librarian Dave Ashcraft. Dave delivered books to the inmates at the Polk County Jail. Dave told Maureen of his dream to provide books for children to take home who were brought to visit inmates at the Polk County Jail.
An organization called Forever Books for Kids was formed to make Dave?s dream come true. The organization includes graduate students from Drake University?s School of Education Adult Learning and Organizational Performance program, members of the legal community and other local agencies that provide services to the jail inmates and their families. The project has collected over 1500 new and gently used books to have at the Polk County Jail for kids who are visiting parents, grandparents, or friends. Multiple book fairs through Barnes & Noble have happened to support this project.
The location of the event is at the Polk County Jail, 1985 NE 51st Place, Des Moines, IA 50313. If you are interested in attending please RSVP by noon on April 19^th to Katie Jensen at katrina.jensen@drake.edu <mailto:katrina.jensen@drake.edu>.