Founded in 1975, the History of Reading SIG is a Special Interest Group of the International Reading Association (IRA). The purpose of the SIG, as outlined in its constitution, is: to encourage historical research in the field of reading and literacy; to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the history of reading and reading instruction; and to promote the development of a body of historical knowledge about reading and literacy. The SIG functions within the larger structure of its parent, the International Reading Association, which is a nonprofit professional organization of some 90,000 members dedicated to the improvement of reading instruction and promotion of the lifetime reading habit. Although the IRA provides a room for the SIG at the IRA's annual convention, the SIG is otherwise financially self-supporting and currently depends entirely on dues paid by its members and subscribers.

The History of Reading Special Interest Group is the oldest and largest professional organization to:

• encourage historical research in the field of reading and literacy;
• provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the history of reading and literacy instruction; and
• promote the development of a body of historical knowledge about reading and literacy.

It serves an international membership of 100 college and university professors, independent scholars, students, archivists, public historians, governmental and agency officials, and institutional subscribers such as libraries, museums, and historical societies. The Special Interest Group (SIG) is affiliated with the International Reading Association (IRA), which has members and affiliates in 99 countries, representing more than 90,000 literacy professionals in the North America and 350,000 worldwide. Membership is open to all those who share the goals of the SIG, but voting membership is restricted by IRA regulations to paid-up IRA members.

The History of Reading SIG is governed by an Executive Board. The officers of the Board comprise both elected officers (president, 1st and 2nd vice-presidents, secretary, and treasurer), and non-elected officers (the immediate past-president, the editor(s) of the newsletter, and the archivist).

The group holds one at least one meeting a year, in conjunction with the annual convention of its parent body, the International Reading Association. The convention takes place in late April or early May.

The SIG also funds several publications. It publishes a biannual newsletter, the History of Reading News, and on occasion, it publishes Occasional Papers.

The SIG sponsors an annual award for the best master's thesis and doctoral dissertation relating to the history of literacy.

The History of Reading SIG sponsors a listserv for those interested in online scholarly exchanges.

• 1975-1976 E. Jennifer Monaghan, Brooklyn, NY
• 1976-1977 E. Jennifer Monaghan, Brooklyn, NY
• 1977-1978 Janet A. Miller, Northern Kentucky University
• 1978-1979 Janet A. Miller, Northern Kentucky University
• 1979-1980 Janet A. Miller, Northern Kentucky University
• 1980-1981 June R. Gilstad, Kokomo, Indiana
• 1981-1982 June R. Gilstad, Kokomo, Indiana
• 1982-1983 Miriam Balmuth, Hunter College of CUNY
• 1983-1984 Miriam Balmuth, Hunter College of CUNY
• 1984-1985 Richard E. Hodges, University of Puget Sound
• 1985-1986 Richard E. Hodges, University of Puget Sound
• 1986-1987 David W. Moore, University of Northern Iowa
• 1987-1988 David W. Moore, University of Northern Iowa
• 1988-1989 A. Garr Cranney, Brigham Young University
• 1989-1990 A. Garr Cranney, Brigham Young University
• 1990-1991 Luther B. Clegg, Texas Christian University
• 1991-1992 Luther B Clegg, Texas Christian University
• 1992-1993 Norman A. Stahl, Northern Illinois University
• 1993-1994 Norman A. Stahl, Northern Illinois University
• 1994-1995 Bernardo Gallegos, California State University, Los Angeles
• 1995-1996 Peter J.L. Fisher, National-Louis University
• 1996-1997 Arlene L. Barry, University of Kansas
• 1997-1998 Arlene L. Barry, University of Kansas
• 1998-1999 Richard D. Robinson, University of Missouri-Columbia
• 1999-2000 Richard D. Robinson, University of Missouri-Columbia
• 2000-2001 Joseph E. Zimmer, St. Bonaventure University
• 2001-2002 Joseph E. Zimmer, St. Bonaventure University
• 2002-2003 Douglas K. Hartman, University of Pittsburgh
• 2003-2004 Douglas K. Hartman, University of Pittsburgh
• 2004-2005 George Kamberelis, SUNY at Albany
• 2005-2006 Sarah Wadsworth, Marquette University
• 2006-2007 Susan E. Israel, University of Dayton
• 2007-2008 Paul J. Schafer, St. Bonaventure University
• 2008-2009 Ruth D. Farrar, Bridgewater State College