Samuel Johnson once declared that "the chief glory of every people arises from its authors."
Two Library of Congress literary calendars for 1997 published by Pomegranate Calendars & Books present photographic portraits from the Library's collections of more than 60 authors, plus biographical profiles, anecdotes, dates and quotations that provide vivid glimpses of the authors' lives and achievements.
In his introduction to the calendars, Center for the Book Director John Y. Cole describes how the Library of Congress celebrates literature - through its collections, readings, projects, publications, exhibitions and even on the walls and ceilings of the Jefferson Building, which he calls "an incomparable Temple of the Book."
A Literary Companion, a 1997 engagement calendar, was compiled by Margaret E. Wagner of the Library's Publishing Office. She and free-lance writer Alan Bisbort wrote the captions. The calendar includes a list of reference books containing literary history and sells for $12.95.
On Writers: A Literary Companion, a 1997 wall calendar, was also compiled by Ms. Wagner and Mr. Bisbort, who also prepared the short biographical essays about the 12 featured authors: Edith Wharton, Jean Genet, Susan Sontag, Geoffrey Chaucer, Hannah Arendt, H.L.Mencken, Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Ralph Ellison, Leo Tolstoy, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Toni Morrison and Mark Twain.
Both calendars are available in bookstores around the country and in the Library of Congress Sales Shop.
Literacy and Public Libraries to Be Discussed at Forum
On Jan. 17 the Center for the Book and the National Center on Adult Literacy will sponsor a forum on "Public Libraries in Adult Literacy: The Next Steps." It will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. in Dining Room A on the sixth floor of James Madison Memorial Building.
The program, chaired by Center for the Book Director John Y. Cole, will begin with a brief presentation by Gail Spangenberg of the highlights of her recently published report, Even Anchors Need Lifelines: Public Libraries in Adult Literacy. Ms. Spangenberg's talk will be followed by comments from speakers who represent different segments of the literacy and library communities, including Bridget L. Lamont, director, Illinois State Library; Maggie G. Gaines, director, Baltimore City Literacy Corp.; and Daniel A. Wagner, director, National Center on Adult Literacy. The new American Library Association-Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund initiative on libraries and adult literacy will also be discussed.
Even Anchors Need Lifelines, a 144-page report, was sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress with additional funding provided by the National Institute for Literacy, Harold W. McGraw Jr., McGraw-Hill Cos. and the American Library Association.
Space is limited at the Jan. 17 Literacy Policy Forum, and reservations are required. For inquiries about the forum or to obtain a copy of Even Anchors Need Guidelines, write or call Âșthe Center for the Book, Library of Congress, 101 Independence Ave. S.E., Washington, DC 20540-4920, telephone (202) 707-5221, fax (202) 707-0269.
Colorado Announces Children's Book Festival
The Colorado Center for the Book will sponsor the first Rocky Mountain Children's Book Festival at Denver's Currigan Exhibition Hall on April 25-26. A celebration of the written and spoken word for children of all ages, the festival will explore all aspects of reading through programs, products and services aimed at both English- and Spanish-speaking children and families. More than 100 presentations are planned, along with presentations of nationally known children's and young adult writers, book talks, book arts demonstrations, costumed characters, workshops for teachers and two special features: The BrainQuest Challenge for schools and the Computer Playground.
More than 30,000 people attended the fourth annual Rocky Mountain Book Festival at Currigan Exhibition Hall on Oct. 5-6. A project of the Colorado Center for the Book, the festival presented more than 100 authors; panel discussions; exhibits; storytellers; literary chautauquans, who portrayed F. Scott Fitzgerald, Zora Neale Hurston, Thomas Jefferson, James Joyce, Anne Sexton, Edith Wharton and Walt Whitman; a hands-on Magnetic Poetry Wall; a computer software playground; and free therapy "for those who are book stuck." Featured speakers included novelist E. Annie Proulx, biologist and science writer Stephen Jay Gould and David Quammen, author of Song of the Dodo: Island Biogeography in an Age of Extinctions (Scribner, 1996). For information, contact the Colorado Center for the Book, 2123 Downing St., Denver, CO 80205; telephone (303) 839-8320, fax (303) 839-8319.
Illinois Authors Honored Illinois Poet Laureate
Gwendolyn Brooks (who served as the Library of Congress's consultant in poetry in 1985-86) was guest of honor on Oct. 19 in Springfield at the Second Annual Illinois Authors Book Fair.
More than 80 Illinois authors from throughout the state participated in the fair, which was sponsored by the Illinois State Library and the Illinois Center for the Book. Ameritech, the Illinois Humanities Council and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress were among the additional supporters. Proceeds from each year's fair are used to purchase books for the Illinois Authors Room in the state library.
Ms. Brooks, who won the Pulitzer Prize in Poetry in 1950 and has been Illinois State Poet Laureate since 1968, spoke at a gala literary dinner on Oct. 18 and the next day read two poems on the steps of the state library to officially open the fair. One of 35 authors with Illinois roots whose name appears on the exterior frieze of the state library building, Ms. Brooks spoke at the library's dedication six years ago.
On Oct. 17 and 18, many of the authors participating in the fair visited schools in the Springfield area. Writers workshops on Oct. 18 discussed the following genres: children's books, the novel, short fiction, mystery writing and poetry. Center for the Book Program Officer Maurvene D. Williams presented remarks at the literary dinner, paying tribute to Illinois's rich literary heritage and briefly describing how the national center works with state centers to promote America's literary heritage.
Events on Oct. 19 included poetry and literary readings, panel discussions, exhibits, storytelling, actors portraying historic Illinois authors and author signings. "The Magic of Children's Book Illustration," an exhibit of original children's book illustrations by 11 Illinois authors and illustrators, was an especially popular feature. Young readers also enjoyed meeting costumed characters from The Wizard of Oz, who mingled with the crowd all day.
For further information, contact the Illinois Center for the Book, Illinois State Library, 300 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701; telephone (217) 524-8835.