What We're About

Joy. We celebrate the joy from individual acts of reading and writing, and the sense of connection and creativity created through sharing stories.

Equity. Stories and ideas belong to everyone. We work to confront injustice and share power and resources to build a literary community where all voices are valued and none are left out.

Curiosity. We believe in the communal acts of reading, writing, listening, and convening together to kindle curiosity, challenge assumptions, and inspire lifelong learning.

Community. We strive to create spaces that build belonging, connection, and shared purpose among diverse people, partners, and ideas.

Accessibility. We are committed to removing barriers to participation, ensuring our programs are welcoming and inclusive for all, especially youth and underserved communities.

Together, our Public Programs and Arts Education Programs:

• Build a literary ecosystem that supports readers and writers at every stage of life.
• Cultivate joy, creativity, and empathy in our community through access to diverse stories and voices.
• Encourage reflection, critical thinking, and action in response to the world.
• Foster belonging and reduce isolation through shared literary experiences.
• Support teaching artists, authors, educators, bookstores, and community partners.
• Create more inclusive literary spaces by embracing diverse voices and leaders.