State center coordinators from 40 states and the District of Columbia attended the Center for the Book’s annual Idea Exchange, which was held at the Library of Congress in May. The two-day meeting welcomed several new state center directors and featured lively discussions about Center for the Book reading promotion projects such as Letters About Literature, River of Words, the Books & Beyond author series and “One Book” community reading and discussion projects. The 2008 Boorstin Awards were presented to three state centers for their innovative reading-promotion programs.
Award-winning novelist Brad Meltzer, who appeared in the “Mysteries & Thrillers” pavilion at the 2006 National Book Festival and will be featured at the 2008 National Book Festival on Sept. 27, was a guest speaker at the idea exchange luncheon and at the Library’s annual Library Legislative Day reception that evening.
Meltzer spoke at the luncheon, introducing Joel Marlin, his own “literacy coordinator.” He described his personal satisfaction when his 2004 novel “The Zero Game” was chosen in 2006 by the state of Florida for a statewide “One Book” reading and discussion program.
“The biggest reward didn’t come from being selected for One Book—the honor was getting the reactions from so many high schoolers and parents who had never read a book together before,” Meltzer said. “Can you imagine? Parents and teenagers … gasp … reading together!? That was thanks to you—the librarians who make it happen.” He also complimented the state center coordinators for their important work and answered questions about his writing habits and choice of settings (primarily Washington, D.C., as is the case with “The Zero Game.”). When asked how he obtained so much access to the White House, he credited the assistance of two former presidents.
Also participating in the Legislative Day reception, hosted as in past years by the Center for the Book, were Librarian of Congress James H. Billington and American Library Association (ALA) President Loriene Roy. Billington praised the Center for the Book’s Letters About Literature and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature projects. He also lauded ALA initiatives spearheaded by Roy. Roy, who spoke at the Library in November to mark Native American Heritage Month (see Information Bulletin, January/February 2008), described the activities of the Circle of Literacy Task Force she implemented as ALA president.
State center representatives were briefed on the conclusions of a study conducted with Library support by Natalie Cole Furner, former coordinator of the California Center for the Book (2002-2005). To help the center evaluate its past and look to its future, Furner reviewed the center’s original authorization and mandate (Public Law 95-129, approved by President Jimmy Carter on Oct. 13, 1977) and suggested a revised mission statement. Furner also recommended a strategic planning effort; new fundraising strategies; a redesigned Web site; and outreach efforts targeted to young people. A key recommendation was that the center use digital technologies more extensively to improve communications, disseminate information and streamline internal operations.
