CAPE ANN READS
About Us
What is Cape Ann Reads?
​
Established in 2015, Cape Ann Reads is a regional collaboration of the four public libraries of Cape Ann, Massachusetts (Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library,Gloucester, MA; Manchester-By-The-Sea Public Library, Manchester, MA; Rockport Public Library,Rockport, MA; TOHP Burnham Library Essex,MA) and local partners like Cape Ann Museum. Designed with a focus on children's picture books, the Cape Ann Reads mission is to encourage and highlight local artists and writers, community connections, and family literacy. In 2016-17, Cape Ann Reads hosted the country’s FIRST picture book contest by a publishing coalition comprised of these historic libraries. The winning book was selected in 2017. The Tree in Dock Square by Jean Woodbury and illustrated by Bonnie L. Sylvester is the first Cape Ann Reads Medal Book.
![Downtown. Quilt, mixed media. Collection of the Cape Ann Museum. Gift of the Art Program at Gloucester’s Rose Baker Senior Center, 2015 [Acc.#2015.033.11]. Project supported by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0a6a17_e08f2f719a034a5193b8654e05bc0f90.jpg/v1/fill/w_556,h_350,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/0a6a17_e08f2f719a034a5193b8654e05bc0f90.jpg)
Community Collaboration
With many community partners, Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library, Rockport Public Library, Manchester-By-The-Sea Public Library, and TOHP Burnham Library Essex launched a yearlong community reading program - Cape Ann Reads - designed around the creation of a single, new original picture book.
Accessibility
The art of children’s literature is strong throughout Cape Ann and part of its rich cultural history. A year of picture book themed workshops for families and adults were offered to encourage community creativity, regional collaboration and family literacy through picture books. All Cape Ann Reads programs are free and open to the public when possible.
![Steve Orpin, Untitled, 1994, Oil on canvas. Collection of the Cape Ann Museum. Gift of Milton Lauenstein, 2013 [Accession # 2013.26.15].](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0a6a17_ccc71d1245764b8d9320c1d87416d36c.jpg/v1/fill/w_361,h_346,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/0a6a17_ccc71d1245764b8d9320c1d87416d36c.jpg)
![Bernard Chaet, Near Rain , 2003, oil on canvas. Collection of the Cape Ann Museum. Gift of the estate of Bernard Chaet, 2013 [Accession # 2013.62.23].](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0a6a17_cd9cf76fb7454e19bd1813a431942efe.jpg/v1/fill/w_398,h_355,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/0a6a17_cd9cf76fb7454e19bd1813a431942efe.jpg)
A New Picture Book
Cape Ann Reads held a children’s picture book contest open to Cape Ann residents of all ages, students attending school on Cape Ann and people who work on Cape Ann. They vied for a chance to exhibit, win prizes and be published. Learn more about the prior book contest. Sign up for future contests. Visit or Contact your local library to learn more!