By Pam DaGrossa, Literacy Program Coordinator
Over the last few years, the Colusa County Free Library and Sheriff’s Office have developed a partnership that makes efficient use of County resource and benefits each department. The SO houses the Stonyford library branch in its substation, helping to maintain library access in our most rural community, while the library provides literacy services in the Colusa County jail.
Literacy Services offered includes adult literacy tutoring, a 3-hour Building Early Childhood Literacy Skills workshop, and regular library service. The Literacy Coordinator and four adult literacy volunteers offer 4 weekly library hours for inmates to browse, request, check out, and return books. Jail staff provide additional hours as they are able.
Library users are encouraged to write reviews of books they particularly enjoy. Reviews are typed then displayed in the jail library, helping inmates recommend books to one another while informally encouraging writing, spelling and grammar practice. January through June 2026, inmates submitted 54 book reviews. Here is a sampling of those reviews:
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid (popular fiction). Evelyn Hugo, Hollywood icon of the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s decides to tell her life story to journalist Monique Grant and specifically to her and only her. She reveals motivations behind her ambition, drive, cunning, self-centeredness, pragmatism, opportunism, lies, truths, and ultimately, why she chose Monique to write her biography. Even though this is a work of fiction, its portrayal of a Hollywood A-lister of yesteryear is very believable and realistic. This book far exceeded my expectations.
“Can’t Hurt Me” by David Goggins (self-help, autobiography). Reading Goggins’ book is very motivational. It shows self-doubt is what slows you down in life, and with determination you can do anything. This book will help you “unshackle your mind” – ditch the victims’ mentality forever – own all aspects of your life completely and build an unbreakable foundation. This is the origin story of a hero. The hero is you.
“The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini (historical fiction). An unfiltered story of life in Afghanistan pre-revolution and Soviet invasion and Taliban rule, with an American immigrant story sandwiched in between. This is often a tragic and desperate account of life. But despite the despair there is hope, despite the tragedy there is achievement, despite the cowardice there is bravery, despite the betrayal there is loyalty. This is an outstanding book.
“Catch Me If You Can” by Frank Abagnale (autobiography). Before his arrest in the 1970s, Frank in his teens and 20s figured out how to forge checks and impersonate an airline pilot, doctor, and lawyer, among others. His ability to come off as an expert in all subjects and ability to sway others is incredible! He turned his bad ways for good and changed the world and himself for good. Great book, easy read, and interesting.
For information about library literacy services, to apply for adult literacy tutoring, or to become an adult literacy volunteer, please contact Literacy Coordinator Pam DaGrossa (530-458-0373, pdagrossa@countyofcolusaca.gov.