The mission of the Iowa Reading Association, an interactive group of individuals interested in reading, is to promote literacy through leadership, educational programming, and legislative endeavors. The Iowa Reading Association is an affiliate of the International Reading Association.
Local councils are active throughout the state of Iowa.
The Iowa Reading Association's annual conference is held in the spring of each year in Des Moines, Iowa. Publications of the organization include Iowa Reading, a membership newspaper and the Iowa Reading Journal, a professional journal distributed to members of the association and to subscribers. These pages initially developed by Sharron L. McElmeel and students attending Harrison Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The pages are maintained by Sharron L. McElmeel and hosted by the Grant Wood Area Education Agency.