Public Affairs Office
101 Independence Ave. SE
Washington DC 20540-1610
tel (202) 707-2905
fax (202) 707-9199
email pao@loc.gov

February 28, 2000
Contact: Guy Lamolinara (202) 707-9217

Minnesota Humanities Commission Becomes New Home of the Minnesota Center for the Book

The Minnesota Center for the Book recently was moved to the Minnesota Humanities Commission.

"We're delighted that the board of the Minnesota Center for the Book decided that the Humanities Commission was an appropriate new host agency," said Cheryl Dickson, president of the Minnesota Humanities Commission. "We are a statewide agency dedicated to fostering and supporting a love of reading and lifelong learning. We look forward to strengthening established projects such as the Minnesota Book Awards and to new initiatives that will benefit all parts of the state."

"I'm pleased with this new direction and partnership," said Center for the Book director John Y. Cole. "In most states, the state book centers and humanities councils work closely together, and the formal merging of the two in Minnesota will create new audiences for reading and new links among schools, libraries and the community."

The Minnesota Book Awards are given annually to recognize and honor outstanding Minnesota authors and their books. From more than 250 books submitted, 41 Minnesota writers, illustrators and editors who published books in 1999 are finalists for the 12th annual awards, which will be presented on Friday, April 14, at 7 p.m. at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. Center for the Book Director Cole will participate in the ceremony.

For information contact Lisa Brienzo, Director, Minnesota Center for the Book, Minnesota Humanities Commission, 987 East Ivy Ave., St. Paul, MN 55106-2046, telephone (651) 774-0105, ext. 111; fax (651) 774-0205; or visit the commission's Web site at www.mnbooks.org.

# # #

PR 00-024
2/28/00
ISSN 0731-3527