GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING STATE CENTERS AND SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES
State centers for the book are affiliated with the Center for
the Book in the Library of Congress (also referred to hereafter
as the national center) and work with the Library to promote books,
reading, literacy and libraries and the state's literary heritage.
Several points from the guidelines that follow should be given
particular attention in the preparation of a proposal.
- The initiative for a state center for the book must come
from the state that wishes to establish the center. Guidance
in developing the proposal (and on the coalition necessary to
support it) is available from the national center, but funding,
staffing, and programming are responsibilities of each state
center.
- Once granted, the initial affiliation between a state center
and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress lasts
three years. State centers must formally request each three-year
renewal.
- The state library should be closely involved with the center.
If the center is not to be located at the state library, the
state library must agree to its location elsewhere and to serve
as a major partner.
- The activities of a state center in promoting books, reading,
libraries, and literacy are more important than its location.
The state center should not be or be seen as a vehicle for promoting
any single library.
- A state center for the book should be truly statewide in
its governance, support, and activities. Its creation should
help unify a state's book community, from author to reader,
and its activities should reinforce and strengthen the work
of other organizations. State centers should not be or be seen
as "competitors" with other organizations.
1. Proposal to the Library of Congress
The organizers of a potential state center should submit a proposal
to the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. The proposal
will be reviewed by the national center's executive committee,
which meets each spring and fall. The request should outline a
proposed program of activities that parallels, in spirit and scope,
the program at the Library of Congress. The new center will not
receive any direct financial support from the national center,
so organizers should present their plans for supporting the center.
For example, will the new center be part of an organization authorized
to receive contributions, or will it seek separate, not-for-profit
status? What are the likely sources of funding? Names and affiliations
of potential advisory committee members should be included along
with a list of proposed projects and activities. It should be
clear from the proposal that the new center will serve a useful
and constructive purpose in the state, a function not now being
performed by any other organization or statewide coalition.
2. Organizational Structure of the State Centers
The structure will vary from state to state, depending on which
individuals or groups take the initiative, the needs and opportunities
in a particular state, the degree to which the state library or
state humanities council wishes to be involved, and potential
sources of funding. The organizing group should represent a coalition
of prominent book, library, business, civic, and educational groups
from throughout the state or region. Potential members include
authors, educators, publishers, printers, book designers, illustrators,
and manufacturers; booksellers; librarians; library supporters;
book collectors; journalists; book reviewers and critics; and
other citizens interested in the world of books. The state library
and state humanities council should play major roles in the center
and its activities. A statewide advisory board is needed, and
it is suggested that a state's Congressional representatives be
invited to serve on the board, at least in an honorary capacity.
At least one statewide coordinator should be designated by name
in the proposal submitted to the national center.
3. State Centers and the National Center
A state center, once its proposal has been approved, will be
known as an affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library
of Congress. Close communication and cooperation between the national
center and each state center are essential, especially with regard
to program planning, fundraising, and the use of the national
center's name. Representatives of the state centers should plan
to participate in an annual meeting at the Library of Congress
each spring when each center will report on its activities and
exchange ideas with the other centers. Both parties will review
the affiliation between the national center and each state center
every three years, at which time the state center must formally
request its renewal. The key question will be whether the joint
effort has advanced the cause of books and reading in creative,
constructive, and meaningful ways. If there any doubts, this affiliation
may cease.
4. State Centers and Other Organizations
Partnerships with other organizations are the best way to promote
books, reading, libraries, literacy, and book culture. Often these
partnerships can be formed with the state or local chapters of
organizations that work closely on a national level with the Center
for the Book in the Library of Congress. Nearl 100 national education
and civic organizations are the national center's reading promotion
partners. Likely partners include regional and local chapters
of publishing and library groups and organizations such as American
Booksellers Association, American Library Association, Friends
of Libraries U.S.A., International Reading Association, and Reading
Is Fundamental. Information about reading promotion partners,
and other related ("community of the book") organizations can
be found on the Center for the Book's web site at: http://www.loc.gov/cfbook/.
5. Activities of the State Centers
A state center affiliated with the Center for the Book in the
Library of Congress is expected to reinforce and extend, at the
state level, the mission of the national center. It should serve
the same catalytic function locally that the Center for the Book
serves nationally. A state center should not compete with other
groups within the state; instead its activities should complement
and strengthen the work of other organizations.
State centers are invited to make use of themes and projects
promoted by the national center. Examples include Read More About
It, Books Make a Difference, A Nation of Readers, and other national
promotion efforts such as "Books Change Lives," "Be A Lifetime
Reader," and "Shape Your Future--Read!". The Center for the Book
also participates in National Library Week (April), Banned Books
Week (September), International Literacy Day (September 8) and
National Children's Book Week (November).
State centers are expected to develop and carry out activities
appropriate to their own states, e.g., celebrating the states
book and literary heritage; working with local radio and television
stations to promote books and reading; organizing seminars, exhibitions,
and lectures; compiling directories of useful resources; sponsoring
publications; and hosting statewide events that call attention
to the importance of books, reading, and libraries.
Here is a list of ideas that includes some of
the most popular state center projects
- Work with the state tourist board to encourage reading about
the state and its heritage (e.g., short reading lists in tourist
brochures and maps) and to recognize and publicize the state's
literary landmarks.
- Interview Members of Congress, state officials, and other
prominent citizens about books that have made a difference in
their lives; publicize and make use of the results.
- Work with the Governor's office to support reading initiatives
and literacy projects.
- Sponsor a community festival of the book or book fair.
- Compile a calendar of book and literary events.
- Name streets and public buildings in honor of authors.
- Sponsor book awards.
- Develop a literary map.
- Organize a Reading Day at a local sports event.
- Develop a traveling exhibit about a state's literary heritage.
- Host a Library of Congress traveling exhibit.
- Sponsor book collecting contests.
- Commission an essay on state resources for studying the history
of books, reading, and libraries.
- Sponsor an annual "lecture on the book."
- Designate appropriate places and geographic features as literary
landmarks.
- Sponsor awards programs for reading achievement.
- Reprint books or essays that describe a state's literary
and cultural heritage.
- Publicize and distribute lists of recommended books for readers
of all ages.
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