UPDATE 9/27/18: We now have a space! We’ll be moving to the Crown Hill United Methodist Church – find out more about what support we need moving here.
After months of searching, we’re still looking for a new space. Since we need to move sometime this fall, we’d really appreciate any leads or connections in our community.
For the last 10 years, Books to Prisoners has had a home at the University Christian Church; sadly, UCC will be soon selling their property, which means that we need a new space – ASAP! We will likely have to move by September 2018 – if you have any connections or knowledge about available spaces, please let us know at bookstoprisoners@live.com.
What we’re looking for:
Space requirements: 600–800 square feet, with a phone line/DSL Internet and access to shared restrooms. BTP’s office space is furnished with bookshelves, ~4 work tables and chairs (for up to 16 volunteers), a computer desk and printer, and 2 lockable file cabinets. A lockable office space is preferable, but with BTP’s valuables secured in locking file cabinets, a shared-space environment could be workable.
Location: A fairly central location, easily accessible from many areas of Greater Seattle, with good public-transit access. Most of BTP’s volunteers are working adults and students who rely on evening work sessions to volunteer with BTP, so the location’s public safety during early evening hours is important.
Operations: A ground-floor location and/or elevator access, and at least one parking and/or loading space for delivering carloads of books. BTP moves 10–20 or more boxes of books each week in passenger vehicles such as minivans and station wagons.
Hours: BTP’s current work sessions are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 6–10pm; Wednesdays 9:30am–1:30pm; and Sundays 1–5pm. Monthly board meetings are currently Sundays 6–8pm. These hours and days are negotiable if necessary.
Price: Currently BTP is paying about $7/sq ft/year, which includes prorated utilities except for telephone/Internet. BTP realizes it may not be possible to replicate this price point in a new location, but is seeking a sustainable price as well as a multi-year lease, since relocating hundreds of lineal feet of books is a considerable undertaking.
Benefit to property owner: BTP, an approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit, could offer tax-deductibility for donated or below-market-price office space. BTP’s regular presence during some early-evening weeknight hours can contribute to a building’s security.