January 9, 2008 Center for the Book Receives Raven Award From Mystery Writers of America

Mystery Writers of America (MWA) has announced that the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress is one of two recipients of its 2008 Raven Award, which honors outstanding achievement in the mystery field outside the realm of creative writing. The other recipient is Kate’s Mystery Books of Cambridge, Mass. The award, given annually since 1953, will be presented on May 1 at the 2008 Edgar Awards Banquet in New York City. The Center for the Book receives the Raven Award in recognition of its constant support of and dedication to literacy education as a whole, including its encouragement of “MWA Reads,” the Mystery Writers of America’s youth literacy project. The award also commends the center, “one of the Library of Congress’s most dynamic and visible educational outreach programs,” for the crucial role it has played in the National Book Festival since its origin in 2001. “The center gratefully accepts the Raven Award as a vote of confidence in our reading-promotion partnership program,” said John Y. Cole, center director. “We are pleased to have MWA as one of the organizations in the program. Writers of course are a key part of the community of the book; their advice and active participation in our endeavor are welcome and indeed, essential.” The Center for the Book was established in 1977 to use the resources of the Library of Congress to stimulate public interest in books and reading. To help carry out its mission, the center has created two national networks: statewide affiliates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and national reading promotion partners, a group of more than 80 nonprofit organizations that promote books, reading, literacy and libraries. For information, visit www.loc.gov/cfbook/. Mystery Writers of America is the premier organization for mystery writers, professionals allied to the crime-writing field, aspiring crime writers and those who are devoted to the genre. With 11 chapters covering all 50 states, the organization provides scholarships for writers; sponsors “MWA Reads,” a youth literacy program; and conducts other activities that further a better appreciation of and higher regard for crime writing. For further information visit www.mysterywriters.org/.