Rhode Island Center for the Book is a statewide organization devoted to promoting personal and community enrichment by celebrating the art and heritage of reading, writing, making, and sharing books. By providing access to books in a wide range of formats, supported by relevant, socially impactful programming, created by an inspired network of teachers, librarians, writers and readers, the Center for the Book engages people of all ages and backgrounds across Rhode Island.
Every state has a Center for the Book that are all affiliates of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. Rhode Island Center for the Book has been the Rhode Island affiliate of the national Center for the Book at the Library of Congress since 2003. The Center collaborates with Rhode Island schools, libraries, senior centers, nonprofits, churches, book festivals, bookstores, businesses and more to promote empathy, experience and understanding through literacy, discussion, education and reading. In these difficult and polarized times, collaboration and not divergence is essential and the strength of the Rhode Island Center for the Book comes from the hundreds of passionate volunteers throughout the state, who drive the Center’s programming, events and connections.
Download our RI Center for Book Infographic to see the impact of your support.
Contact
Rhode Island Center for the Book is a cooperative effort of a dedicated community of volunteers. People from varied backgrounds and interests come together to celebrate their love of books. If you would like to volunteer or become a member, please send an email to kate@ribook.org .
Our Programs
Reading Across Rhode Island (RARI)
For over 15 years, Rhode Island’s only One Book, One State program focuses on a single book selected to stimulate meaningful discussions across our state. Once the selection is made, bookstores, schools, and libraries spread the word and build up momentum toward our concluding event featuring sold out addresses by the author. The Center provides thousands of books at no cost to schools and readers to fuel discourse that flows from connecting over a shared story and then bolsters the program with an in depth resource guide compiled by experienced teachers. The Center integrates dramatic and visual arts to enrich the reading experience. RARI penetrates every city and town in Rhode Island across all generations and classes of citizens.
Kids Reading Across Rhode Island (KRARI)
Since 2009 The Center has partnered with Rhode Island Office of Library and Information Services for a summer reading program focusing on children in grades 3-6. KRARI seeks to instill a lifelong love of reading while preventing summer learning loss. KRARI kicks off at the magnificent Rhode Island State House, hosting hundreds of young readers and their families, who receive the selected book at no cost and meet the author. For many of the students, it is their first encounter with a live author which makes a lasting impact. The program then launches into book groups, crafts, theater and visual arts events throughout the summer to stimulate young readers.
Living Literature
A collective of Rhode Island based artists illuminate written works by creating concrete characters and events performed live for audiences.
Youth Poetry Ambassador
The Center partners with the Rhode Island Poet Laureate to select a RI high school student to serve as a youth poetry advocate to bring more poetry to our state’s youth and to inspire young people through example.
