Our mission:
To inspire a passion for reading and learning among children
living in remote coastal island and ‘inland’ island communities.
About Us
To inspire a passion for reading and learning among children
Island Readers & Writers (IRW) is an educational nonprofit based in Southwest Harbor, ME, established in 2006. We bring book-based experiences—including author and illustrator visits—to our 26 partner schools, offer exceptional professional development for educators, and host community programs. In 2020, IRW was honored by the Library of Congress’ Literacy Awards for best practices. To date, IRW has given more than 30,000 personalized books to Maine children.
Explore Our History Meet Our Staff
Dr. Cat Biddle, Director, School of Educational Leadership, Higher Education & Human Development, University of MaineIsland Readers and Writers works with schools to do the vital work of connecting learning with communities and providing unique educational opportunities for rural students.
There is such a strong narrative nationally that rural schools are deficient; however, IRW's programming starts from a place of rural strength and appreciation, and then builds on that to expand children's understanding of their communities and the world beyond through stories. Rural students and schools need organizations like IRW to help broker access to these types of experiences.
Why Rural Schools?
IRW serves Maine children, educators and librarians living in rural communities where access to books, humanities programming, and educational resources are generally limited. The schools we visit are often small and geographically isolated—including one-room schoolhouses. These small schools often contain multi-grade classrooms and have teaching principals. Schools we work with may lack dedicated programs in art, music, writing, or library services.
In rural and isolated places, the educational opportunity gap is real. IRW’s programs are integrated across subject areas and grade levels and are designed to stretch imaginations, hone communication skills and help children become creative and critical thinkers, confident learners and citizens. And having additional present, encouraging adults in students’ lives is critical to their future success and interest in school.
We believe:
that every child matters & in the promise that lies within every child—their capacities and their dreams
in the essential role of reading in the healthy development of children
in the power of literature to stretch imaginations, foster curiosity, develop creative and reflective thinking skills, and expand perspectives
that every island and “inland” island community is distinctive and that our work must be customized to meet the needs and interests of the children and communities we serve
