Reference by Mail

A white table displays a pen, several envelopes, and a colorful sticker arranged neatly.
Since 2026, the Alameda Free Library provides reference services to individuals incarcerated at the California Healthcare Facility (CHCF) in Stockton, CA. Our reference librarians work to provide timely, accurate information and library materials through the mail to people who face significant systemic barriers to such resources. The program is guided by the following policies: 

Alameda Free Library Reference-By-Mail Service Guidelines (modified February 2026) 

The Alameda Free Library’s mission is to foster individual and community enrichment, resourcefulness, and connection through welcoming, knowledgeable staff and easily accessible collections, facilities, and virtual spaces. We hope to extend that mission by answering your reference questions. We are required to follow our Library Policies (available upon request) and the most up-to-date mailing guidelines for the CA Healthcare Facility. Additionally, this service is subject to staff availability, resources, knowledge, and expertise. We welcome your feedback as we grow to meet your information needs.   
  1. We cannot answer more than one letter per patron per month. We respond to letters in the order we receive them. Please do not send the same request more than once. We appreciate your understanding. 
  2. We can send you only ten (10) pages of information at a time. As a result, we may not be able to send all of the information you request in one response. If this happens, please write back with only the questions that remain unanswered and we will respond.  
  3. We do not get into contact with a third party for you nor can we send any mail or correspondence on your behalf. Any requests for this will go unanswered. 
  4. We are unable to offer legal advice of any kind. We will not respond to any direct request for legal information or advice. We are happy to refer out to legal resources, including the Prison Activist Resource Center (PARC) Guide. You can request this legal information by mailing PARC - P.O. Box 70447 Oakland, CA 94612. 
  5. We do not send any sexually explicit materials, including images or text. This includes the name of companies that produce sexually explicit materials. 
  6. We do not send information promoting violence or the use of weapons, including lists of weapons/ammunition or any information pertaining to acquiring weapons. 
  7. We are unable to send you individual books/magazines/newspapers/etc. Please contact the Prisoners Literature Project - c/o Bound Together Books 1369 Haight St. San Francisco, CA 94117 – with book requests.  
  8. While we are happy to refer out, we do not act as a personal correspondent (pen pal) for any individual, nor can we contact a pen pal service on behalf of anyone. 
  9. We do not send individuals’ contact information. This includes phone numbers, addresses, or email addresses for many individuals, excluding certain public figures.  
  10. We do not send maps or directions.  
  11. We do not retrieve information or images from social media accounts. 
  12. We do not send images of celebrities under 14 years old at the time the images were created. 
  13. We do not send materials that are frequently prohibited by prison mailroom policies. 
  14. We do not send images or insignias associated with current or historical hate groups. 
  15. Our responses to your reference questions do not constitute medical advice or opinion.  
To protect your privacy, all identifying information, including your name and facility, is only seen by Alameda Free Library staff. Staff shreds your letters after they are answered and does not keep your information after responding to you.  
For our internal record-keeping, we tally:  
  1. The number of reference requests per month and year 
  2. The number of different types of reference requests (e.g. medical reference) 
  3. The most-requested sources of information (e.g. dictionaries, text books) 
While every effort is made to provide accurate information, Alameda Free Library specifically disclaims all expressed and implied warranties with respect to the information and materials provided to patrons. The Alameda Free Library and representatives shall have no liability for any damages, including, without limitation, direct, indirect, consequential, compensatory, special, punitive or incidental damages arising out of or relating to the use of our services. We reserve the right to amend these guidelines anytime. 
We look forward to supporting imprisoned individuals writing from CHCF with their reference questions. Requests coming from other facilities will be redirected as appropriate.
Reference questions should be sent to:  
Alameda Free Library  
c/o Adult Services 
1550 Oak St 
Alameda, CA 94501 

 

All other questions about the program (including how to start your own!) should be directed to:
Oliver Mills
Programming Librarian

 

Back to top