October 6, 1996

Contact: Craig D'Ooge (202) 707-9189

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Maryland Center for the Book Approved

The Library of Congress has approved a proposal for a Maryland Center for the Book that will be affiliated with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. It will be located at the Howard County Library in Columbia, Maryland. Pat Bates, the library's adult program coordinator, will serve as coordinator for the new Maryland Center.

"We are delighted that the Howard County Library has taken this initiative and will be pleased to work with Pat Bates, who is one of the most experienced humanities programmers in the country," said John Y. Cole, director of the Center for the Book.

Howard County Library Director Norma Hill said, "Becoming the home of the Maryland Center for the Book reaffirms our commitment to the importance of books in the lives of our citizens, even as technology changes how libraries do business. We look forward to providing this service to our state."

The goal of the Maryland Center for the Book at the Howard County Library is "to bring the world of ideas fostered in books into the thoughts and minds of Marylanders." It will pursue this goal through statewide programs in libraries, senior sites, and work sites; by celebrating the state's literary heritage; and by recognizing the contributions made by Maryland authors, publishers, and others involved in the book arts and the book trade.

The Maryland Center for the Book's advisory committee will include authors, librarians, humanities scholars, booksellers, publishers, corporate sponsors, and other Marylanders interested in promoting books, reading, and libraries.

For information about the new center, contact Pat Bates, Howard County Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD, 21045, telephone (410) 313-7768.

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PR 96-138
10/6/96
ISSN 0731-3527