Who We Are | How We Do It | Our Impact |
OUR MISSION
To inspire a passion for reading and learning among children living on Maine’s coastal islands and in rural communities in Washington County's “inland islands.”
WHO WE ARE
Island Readers & Writers (IRW) believes in the essential role of reading in fostering the healthy development of children and the promise that lies within every child—their capacities and their dreams.
Each year, IRW brings book-centered educational experiences to over 2,600 children, grades Pre-K-8, living on Maine’s coastal islands and in remote communities in Washington County. These experiences are designed to stretch imaginations, encourage curiosity, develop creative and reflective thinking skills, and expand perspectives through hands-on learning in natural history, science, literature, writing, and art.
IRW takes pride in our role as collaborator, catalyst, and convenor for the schools and communities we partner with.
WHAT WE DO
OUR HISTORY
Incorporated in 2006, IRW grew out of Port In A Storm Bookstore on Mount Desert Island and the vision of its owner Jan Coates to venture beyond the walls of the bookstore to bring books and their authors and illustrators together with children where they lived. In the early days, IRW worked with two island schools and distributed just over 50 books to excited children.
Read more about how IRW has grown.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT
We are committed to dismantling racism and oppression in all its forms. We believe that all Maine children have the right to access opportunities and life outcomes not limited by race, ethnicity or economic class. We continually educate ourselves on the values of diversity, inclusion and equity, create book-centered experiences reflecting multicultural perspectives and support educators introducing these topics in their curricula. IRW programs continue to foster children’s appreciation of the differences and interconnectedness of all people.