Who are we? Island Readers and Writers (IRW) has been “inspiring a passion for reading and learning among children living on Maine’s coastal islands” since 2006. Formalized as a non-profit in 2007, IRW provides innovative reading programs for children living in these unique places. Our strategic vision is to expand to “inland islands” which are also isolated locales with minimal opportunities for reading and language arts enrichment. We want to engage all children in book-related programs that encourage excitement about literature and the creativity and discovery it inspires.
What do we currently do? IRW provides three book-centered programs: one is for kids in their schools, one is for kids in their libraries during the summer, and the other is for kids, their families and community members, reading and learning together.
- Our “Island Book and Author Program” takes Maine children’s book authors/illustrators to island schools off the Maine coast. The children interact closely with the authors/illustrators about their books, learning how to dream them up, write them, illustrate and read them. The local teachers, with preparations suggestions from us, integrate our visits into on-going lesson plans, emphasizing creative art and writing activities, as well as history, science, and other topics related to a book’s specific content. Each child receives a book that is personally inscribed by the author. The close-knit island community members are often invited to view exhibits and presentations of the children’s creations.
- Our second program called “Friends Over Books,” is a summer program. In this, book-loving adults come to the islands to read with and discuss carefully selected theme-oriented books, with individuals and groups of children, ages 9-14 at island libraries. Skits, demonstrations, field trips and author visits are part of this six-week program. Copies of the books to be read by the group are provided to each child. Everyone loves this: the children (who are thrilled to have fascinating visitors just for them come to their island), the teachers (who see good results from the summer reading) and the island communities (who value enriching their kids’ lives above all).
- Our third program called “Community Outreach” focuses on large events that bring together people of all ages to celebrate reading. We seek to build supportive and healthy reading communities that encourage kids to love reading by sharing with families and community members, the book-related activities and programs that bring a story to life. IRW’s Big Read The Call of the Wild held in Jan-Feb 2010, drew 1236 readers for a month-long program involving seven island communities, 11 libraries, 17 non-profits, two school districts, and 100 miles of coastline, is one example of our Community Outreach. A grant from the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest and matched by Maine Charity Foundation Fund, The Maine Humanities Council and private donations made this program possible.
Our Board has recently approved a 5-year strategic plan that requires us: to expand the reach of our proven programs to serve similarly isolated rural communities in our poorest Maine county: Washington County; to develop innovative programs that excite children to learn about science in collaboration with like mission organizations; to increase the staff and operational support to all aspects of the organization.
Our office is located on 990 Crooked Road off Route 102 in the Village of Town Hill. Please drop in and learn more “about us.”
