History of Baltimore Reads

Foundation and Focus

Initially a quasi-public agency known as the Baltimore City Literacy Corporation, Baltimore Reads was created in 1988 by then-Mayor Kurt Schmoke to fulfill his vision of Baltimore as a City That Reads and to lead the charge in addressing the City’s alarming rate of adult illiteracy.  The City of Baltimore initiated a partnership with United Way to match its investment and provide seed monies to develop what has become the City’s premier literacy organization.  Subsequent funding came from the Office of Employment Development (OED) and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). 

Baltimore Reads retains its seat as a continuing member of the Mayor’s Cabinet.  We are the only community-based literacy provider on the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board and its Public Policy Subcommittee.  We are on the State Advisory Committee for Adult Education (STAC) and the Maryland Association for Adult Community and Continuing Education (MAACCE) .

Since its inception, Baltimore Reads has served thousands of Baltimore’s adults and families through citywide service delivery vehicles that include:

·      The Ripken Adult Learning and Workforce Development  Center:  Our flagship program established in 1990 provides 300-500 adults annually with basic literacy and G.E.D. training, computer literacy, academic coaching/tutoring, employability and job readiness training services. 

·      The Baltimore Reads Book Bank: Has re-distributed over 1.1 million children’s books to families residing in low-income areas through schools, Head Start programs, and social service centers since opening in 1992.  We collect new and gently-used books at our Baltimore Sun warehouse complex drop-off site.