YOU CAN HELP: Books, Books, Books

STEP 1: Check Your Local Library Selection
One of the first things I noticed as I started researching modern slavery was the lack of books at my local library. Our city library, which is average size, only had 3 adult non-fiction books, 1 photo book and 1 adolescent book regarding human trafficking and modern slavery. It was the same story (pun intended) with neighboring cities.

STEP 2: Make a list of Books

Create a list of books you would like to see at your local library. I've put together a suggested reading list at the bottom of this post. Feel free to use this as a reference to build your own list.

STEP 3: Request Books

Almost all libraries allow their patrons to submit book requests for the library to purchase. Here's an example from my local library. (If you live in Orem, UT feel free to help me out by requesting books as well.) Typically you'll need to enter your library card #, information for the book(s), and this is key, an explanation of why you think the library should buy these books.

STEP 4: Get Your Friends & Family Involved

Now that you've submitted book requests, ask your family and friends to do the same. If libraries get bombarded with different requests from their patrons, they will be sure to order the books.

STEP 5: Donate Books

If all else fails, or if it's just easier for you time-wise, you can always purchase books and donate them to your library. No library will turn down donated books if they are new or in good working condition.

STEP 6: Book Clubs

Book clubs are a great way to introduce the issue of modern slavery to your friends. If you're in a book club, suggest one of the readings below. If you're not, you can always start one.

Most libraries will have groups of books available specifically for book club checkouts. When you suggest books, you can also suggest 1 or 2 that you think would be valuable for libraries to add to their book club lists. If I had to choose two book club books, they would be "The Road of Lost Innocence," by Somaly Mam and "Ending Slavery," by Kevin Bales.

THE RESULT:

1. You've just created awareness of modern slavery for the librarians, your friends and your family.

2. You've helped provide books for you, your neighbors, students and book clubs to learn more about the issues and get educated.

3. You've helped buy books, which in turn helps fund authors, which in turn helps raise money for many anti-slavery charities.

SUGGESTED BOOK LIST:

The Road of Lost Innocence by Somaly Mam

Ending Slavery: How We Free Today's Slaves by Kevin Bales

Modern Slavery: The Secret World of 27 Million People by Zoe Trodd, Kevin Bales, Alex Kent Williamson

The Slave Next Door: Human Trafficking and Slavery in America Today by Kevin Bales

Disposable People by Kevin Bales

Slave Hunter by Aaron Cohen and Christine Buckley

Not For Sale by David B. Bastone

Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery by Siddharth Kara

Enslaved: True Stories of Modern Day Slavery by Sage Jesse, Liora Kasten and Gloria Steinem

A Crime So Monstrous: Face-to-Face With Modern-Day Slavery by E. Benjamin Skinner

AUTHOR'S INVITATION:

Everyone I talk to about modern slavery agrees it's atrocious. Then they ask, "What can I do?" BE A VOICE. Spread awareness by sharing these posts and videos with others. Collectively we can reach thousands of people. Creating awareness and making this an issue in the public mind WILL lead to CHANGE.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

~Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Will you accept my invitation? Will you be a voice?

Thank you,
John Burger

AbolitionisJB