Literacy
Families that read are families that succeed. Children who are read to in their preschool years are more successful in school, and readers become leaders in our communities.
A vision of our Governor is a creative economy that includes a state of life-long learners. Reading and writing are important. Raising the literacy rates of our Maine communities is a goal of the Maine Community Literacy Project.
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2nd Annual Maine Fesitival of the book:
* Maine Festival of the Book To Celebrate Love of All Literary Genres
“I am delighted that Maine Festival of the Book is turning into an annual tradition,” said Mrs. Baldacci. “While promoting literacy, we have the opportunity to bring members of Maine’s literary community together in one place for a celebration of the written word.”
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Maine libraries play a vital role in increasing our state's literacy. The services and programs they offer make a huge difference in the lives of Maine citizens. Libraries are the focal points of communities and offer free and equal access to books, the Internet, multimedia materials, and an array of special programs.
Maine Read to Feed is an educational program that motivates students to read in order to help feed hungry Maine families. Maine Read to Feed, a partnership between First Lady Karen Baldacci, Scholastic Books, and Heifer International, encourages all Maine elementary schools to particpate in this program and has five central goals: to promote literacy, to educate students and teachers about world hunger and poverty, to provide Maine children with an opportunity to help others, to encourage teachers to focus on global issues and to use new, creative teaching methods, and to earn books for elementary school students.
The First Lady is pleased to invite the people of Maine to participate in A Capital Read. "Please join Governor Baldacci and me in reading Chris Bohjalian's Before You Know Kindness, the 2006 selection for Augusta's A Capital Read. You will connect with your neighbors and co-workers over the rich themes and issues this book portrays through reading and discussing the book and by attending some of the many programs the libraries will offer in the month of March."
The Maine Youth Exellence in Art Project gives young artists from Maine's 818 public and private K-12 schools an opportunity to have their artwork exhibited in Augusta buildings, including the State House, Cross Building, Blaine House, Maine State Museum and Library, and the Maine Arts Commission. The Maine Youth Excellence in Art Project recognizes, honors, and shares the talents of our young Maine artists. First Lady Karen Baldacci celebrates the creative work of young Maine artists and encourages schools from around the state to join in this special project.
Click to learn more about Arts programs in Maine.