The Center for the Book marked its 25th anniversary with a celebratory luncheon on Dec. 11 that honored Librarian of Congress Emeritus Daniel Boorstin, who was instrumental in the center's founding. It was established in October 1977 to stimulate public interest in books, reading, libraries and literacy and to encourage the study of books and the printed word. Nine states were added to the center's national network in 2002, achieving the center's goal of establishing affiliates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a result of an international project developed by the Center for the Book with the Open Society Institute (Soros Foundation-Moscow), plans are underway to create reading centers in libraries throughout Russia as well.
The Center for the Book continued to administer a multi-year national reading promotion campaign, "Telling America's Stories," with first lady Laura Bush serving as honorary chair. The center also contributed to the success of the second annual National Book Festival (see page 38) by enlisting festival participants and working with its national reading promotion partners and affiliates to organize the Pavilion of the States and the Let's Read America Pavilions.
