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November 1, 2000
Contact: Yvonne French (202) 707-9191

West Virginia Center for the Book Established

The Library of Congress has approved a proposal from the West Virginia Library Commission for the creation of a West Virginia Center for the Book that will be located at the Library Commission and affiliated with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress.

"This is a welcome development," said Center for the Book Director John Y. Cole. "We look forward to working with West Virginia's community of the book on many grassroots projects including, we hope, a West Virginia literary map."

"The West Virginia Library Commission sees the new West Virginia Center for the Book as a great opportunity to expand our work in recognizing West Virginia's rich literary heritage," said Commission Executive Director David M. Price. "We also will focus on improved literacy for our citizens and increased support for the literary arts in West Virginia."

The Advisory Committee for the new center will include representatives of the Library Commission, the West Virginia Humanities Council, librarians, authors, booksellers, publishers, scholars, corporate sponsors, and others interested in promoting books and the book arts. The West Virginia Center for the Book will be supported through grants, donations, and in-kind services. The Library Commission will house the center, contribute the services of the coordinator, and provide clerical assistance and publications support.

For information about the West Virginia Center for the Book, contact Jennifer A. Soule, Adult and Senior Services Coordinator, West Virginia Library Commission, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East, Charleston, WV 25305, telephone (304) 558-3978, ext. 343, e-mail: souleja@wvlc.lib.wv.us.

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PR 00-171
11/1/00
ISSN 0731-3527