Resource Alert: Center for the Book-- Online and In Person

Recently, the LoC blog ran an article entitled, "What is the Center for the Book, and Where Can I Find One?" It drew my attention because I have been hired by the Center for the Book for two different states in the past and even I am not that well versed in what they are and what they offer. 

Well, apparently, I am not alone because the Center for the Book also realized they need to do more outreach, and created a brand new website here.

One of the things I love about the Center for the Book is that it also embraces one of my 10 Rules of Basic RA Service-- Bridge the Physical Virtual Divide -- as they offer online and in person access.

But, I am getting ahead of myself here. Read the blog post BEFORE going directly to the landing page for the Center for the Book. That post frames what you will see on the landing page. and gives you an overview of the Center for the Book in general. 

I will let them explain here and below. But give it a click and find you local Center for the Book and see how you can partner with them for programs and services to offer to your patrons.

What’s the Center for the Book, and Where Can I Find One?

This is a guest post by Guy Lamolinara, Head of Center for the Book

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress has a new website, one that will help connect you to the Library’s Affiliate in your state or territory.

What’s the Center for the Book?

The Center for the Book is a community of 56 Affiliated Centers that promotes books, reading, libraries and literacy across the country. These Centers also elevate and advocate for their state’s unique literary heritage, developed by writers whose works reflect distinctively American places. Their stories, novels, essays, poems and other written works, rooted in the nation’s extraordinary diversity of people and geography, are often featured in the programs supported by the Affiliated Centers for the Book.

All Americans are connected to the Library of Congress.

The Library’s vision is aspirational and speaks to the tangible and intangible connections that are possible with the nation we serve. Through our unequaled collections, services, events and products, users can connect with the Library in meaningful ways throughout their life journey.

One of the ways we achieve this vision is through the Affiliated Centers for the Book. No matter where you live, there is a Center for the Book that works to promote books, reading, libraries and literacy in your area.

There is an Affiliate Center for the Book in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and Northern Marianas.

These Centers engage, inspire and inform diverse audiences through author talks, web-based events, podcasts, book festivals and more, designed to advance appreciation of the written word. Some examples of what our Affiliates are doing:

• The Ohio Center for the Book has created “Page Count,” an interview-format podcast that celebrates authors, librarians, booksellers, illustrators, publishing professionals and literary advocates in and from the state of Ohio.
• The Alaska Center for the Book offers a “reading challenge” in which you can win books written by Native Alaska authors.
• The Massachusetts Center for the Book and the Oklahoma Center for the Book both sponsor long-running book awards that honor writers from their states.
• Many sponsor their state’s own book festival.

The Affiliates also play a role in the annual Library of Congress National Book Festival by naming a book to the Great Reads from Great Places project, and they send representatives to the festival to promote their state’s literary heritage to thousands of festivalgoers.

In addition, they help to promote the activities and initiatives of the Library of Congress, the Center for Learning, Literacy and Engagement, as well as those of the other Affiliated Centers for the Book.

Check out what your state or territory is doing by visiting our new website. You may want to participate in one of their programs or get to know a new literary community near you.